Although only having existed since 2015, Swedish Hard Rock power trio LIAR THIEF BANDIT have had an eventful start to life as a band. Self-releasing their debut album "Gun Shovel Alibi" in 2016 the band have been hard at work ever since racking up over 100 gigs and four full length albums (including this one) in the years since. We are a bit ahead of time here as there is three months before this LP hits the shelves but try and remember when the time comes!

Kicking things off, first track "Peace with Disaster" opens with a nice crisp guitar riff, and a classic explosive Rock intro as drums crash and then tease with percussion as the guitar blasts out power chords, before a very meaty satisfying riff takes us into the song. There are injections of dual guitar leads throughout, and an understated but effective guitar solo, the lyrics speak of hitting rock bottom, making peace with yourself, and then dragging yourself back up. Mikael Jacobson handles both guitar and vocal duties ably, his vocals are quite high, but not squeaky at all. He sings an octave above where you would usually expect to find vocalists in the genre sitting, giving the whole affair a sound that lands somewhere between THIN LIZZY and THE DARKNESS. The LIZZY comparisons are played out further on second track "Better Days" which is a swinging, foot stomping boogie saturated with twin guitar leads.

"Harm Reduction" takes us back to driving Hard Rock territory as they shake off the boogie and get down to some serious riffing, with a giant chorus to get the audiences singing. Top stuff, which sets us up nicely for a straightforward cover of a track by fellow Swedes GRAVEYARD in "Ain't Fit To Live Here," unfussy riff based rock with a bit of a stoner vibe to it. This takes us to the album's centrepiece and title track "Diamonds (Are Made Under Pressure)," described as a follow up to the song "Catch and Release" from their previous release, this song is an unashamed slice of pure Rock joy with energetic, infectious riffs and another massively uplifting chorus.

Penultimate banger "The Art of Losing Battles" barrels along with a febrile punk riff and fantastic shouty chorus, as we career towards the end Mikael Jacobson lets rip with a killer guitar solo, following which the band step up another gear as they race to the finish line. Final song "Send Me Home" puts a bow on the whole package, it's a completely different track to anything heard so far, slower, heavier, and more considered with a crunching riff and almost New Wave sounding vocals. The track is cleft in twain by a raucous, wah soaked guitar solo, and an absurdly intoxicating chorus with a grooving riff takes us towards the end. A slight shame to hear a fade out at the end of this, rather than an earth-shattering finale, but I will forgive this given the high quality of the album overall.

I'm giving this Nines across the board. It's a great work, with very memorable melodies, captivating musicianship, and sterling song writing. It could stand to be a little longer at just seven songs and twenty-seven minutes, but the upside of this is that there is not a second of boredom to be found anywhere here.