Punk. What is Punk? The dictionary would describe it as 'a loud, fast-moving, and aggressive form of rock music, popular in the late 1970s.' This brings bands to mind such as SEX PISTOLS, THE RAMONES and BLACK FLAG. As it developed overtime it spat out sub genres like it was to receive child maintenance for each of its offspring. But can you define Punk? Is it anything nonconformist? Dutch 4-piece group JACKLUST have put their own stamp on the genre.

"Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia" is an interesting name for an album. Yes, it is a real word, which ironically is the fear of long words. Which you can see throughout the track listing, is not something that JACKLUST suffer from.

The art work is simple and rustic, this is in my opinion reflective of the music played by the band. In an interview last year, they stated that they wanted to include gallows in the artwork as the album title, excuse me for not typing THAT out every time, is a great word to use in a game of hangman... interesting take but I like it.

Now some of you might be put off by the apparent marathon of this album, with its 17 tracks... However, you should be aware that certain 'tracks' are less than a minute long and consist mainly of nonsensical mutterings and trying to pronounce a particularly difficult word.

The opening track "Sesquipedalianism" opens the album in a way that I found odd but very enjoyable, in fact I would say that it wouldn't be out of place within a NIGHTWISH album, again an interesting take, but one I found to be very agreeable with myself. "Blood Eagle" doesn't mess about and is straight in with some fast heavy material, would I describe it as Punk? I'm not convinced that I would. In fact, I would liken it more to XII BOAR. "Born to Run" instantly stood out to me due to the melancholy and Doomy style intro with a solo piano that steals you away. But that doesn't last for long, and we are back to JACKLUST's self-proclaimed 'fast lyrics and loud guitars', you later find yourself re transported to that Doomy hole as the overture returns, but again it is short lived.

Now, as Monty Python would say, for something completely different. "Turbo" is a cover of a Happy Hardcore techno piece by NEW KIDS, FT DJ PAUL ELSTAK, this is a very good cover as the band manages to use the original vocal line whilst instrumentally putting their own twist on it. I feel this has the potential to be a crowd favourite when live. Swinging straight back into their own songs with "High Noon" and again we are transported away, this time to the American old West. With an intro that sets the scene for the song, and what I can only describe as a dirty bassline we power through this piece with an excellent vocal track. Continuing to show their diversity with "Pirate Song", personally I didn't feel this one, it was a good song musically but when it comes to this style of song lets leave it to ALESTORM gents.

In my opinion, "Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia" (There I typed it twice, are you happy you animals?!) picks up in the second half of the album. In fact, during "Sangria Sunrise" I thought I had accidentally ended up listening to a different band altogether, the song is tight, well written and has a divine guitar run for its intro. "Stargazer"... where the hell did an 80's Power Ballad appear from? Now, I'm not saying its wrong, as it is an exceptional song, I just, well I wasn't expecting it. It burst into my headphones like an unwelcome guest that eventually became family. Again Tizzy Wire deserves some serious credit for his solo during this song. "Mayday" is the penultimate track for this debut full length album, it is catchy, fast paced and energetic. This, in my opinion is a good song to see the album out with. Some people may have noticed that there is a bonus track, in the shape of "пират". This simply goes on to add to the nonsensical nature of some of the other tracks of the album, with pounding Russian Techno coming from nowhere, including a small snippet of Davay's "Tri Poloski", bet you guys never thought we could reference that in a Punk album review!

Overall this album is a solid debut. Some elements I didn't fully understand, but that comes with the territory. All members show an untiring attitude and huge reserves of energy throughout. A special mention to Staaaan behind his kit at any up coming show, sweat will be flying anywhere and everywhere I am sure. If JACKLUST continue to build on this I am sure they will become successful in their own way, think TOWER OF LONDON