Ellipsis by Biffy Clyro

The new Biffy Clyro album is a gritty reaffirming of the band's undeniable stature in the rock world.

Kicking off with the hit single Wolves of Winter, which is a glorious stadium anthem of power and strength, replicating the fear of a metaphorical pack of wolves snapping at your heels.

The machine gun characteristic guitar is in evidence in Friends and Enemies, while the clarity of Simon Neil's vocals interpret the struggle for survival - with friends like you who needs enemies.

The band have always been great lyricists but this album feels more personal, more poignant than the usual riotous, rock rants.

The sing-along chorus in Rearrange is in stark contrast to the tinge of regret apparent in the soft, melodic verse.

Herex has clean crisp lines and is bursting with flavour like a fully rounded, full bodied red wine, while Medicine refers to Simon's own demons and how he combated them with medicine to forget.

Small Wishes has a whistle-along, chirpy tune that broadens into a memorable melody that could feature as a soundtrack to a film or TV series.

Animal Style and Howl are rock tracks with bite, old school thunder road and not for your grandma.

The album ends on a sad, angst-ridden note but with a ray of hope on the horizon in the track People.

A departure from their last album this offering is the wild bird you can not tame, high flying with a beating rock heart. - Flicky Harrison