Reviewed by Peter Bate

While the ska revival blazes over the pond, its mainstream emergence in the UK has so far fizzled only into the chart success of The Mighty, Mighty Bosstones. The Insyderz rip out the genre's heart- choppy guitars and punchy horns- and weld it to their own energetic brand of punk, metal and funk. In the hands of lesser bands this collection of well-known Christian choruses would've resulted in a disastrous cheese-fest. But with the aid of (possibly) Christendom's three finest left-field rockers- Steve Taylor, Terry Taylor and Gene Eugene on production duties, the innovative six-piece somehow pull it off. The pick of the bunch is their cover of the late Rich Mullins' "Awesome God". Opening with a 100 mph punk riff, followed by reggae trumpets, the chorus is given the glam-rock treatment, then come harmony vocals and finally a scream metal finish. Totally coherent and thoroughly enjoyable. "Christian metal never dies, baby," says vocalist Joe Yerke before the group launch into a hardcore rendition of Amy Grant's "Joy". And, if The Insyderz have their say, Christian ska could stick around for a bit too.

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