Mahatma Gandhi once said, "patience is the chief virtue of those who have faith": if that's the case, then the faithful are about to be rewarded. Amebix are to release their first full album of new material since '87, and it's a cracker. The nucleus of the band has always been brothers Rob and Stig, but the addition of drummer/producer Ray Mayorga has proved to be a masterstroke, giving the band the sound that these songs deserve. Cited by some as one of the most influential bands of the crust punk scene of the Mid Eighties, the polished sound of the new material may not appeal to the die hards, but if there's any justice in this business then this album shouldn't just open doors: it should smash them down. Sonic Mass is fused together with a wide range of sound; huge discordant riffs and busy tribal drums flow from track to track effortlessly, with Rob's vocals ranging from pure anger to almost stadium rock singalong anthemic chant. The album has its instant songs such as latest single "Knights of the Black Sun", but it's hidden gems like "The One" and the superb two-part title track that really set the tone of the album.