While you think you know one or two of their ballads, many more will be instantly recognisable when listening to their debut album. The Las Vegas band has a distinctive Brit-rock sound – London is where they were signed up to Island records. With favourites like Somebody Told Me and Smile Like You Mean It, Hot Fuss will be one of those CDs that becomes a soundtrack to certain stages in your life – new job, new relationship, another deployment. Highly addictive.

– Lt Simone Heyer

If Mozart were a metal-head, this is what he would sound like. This latest offering from Devin Townsend’s SYL is so abrasive and heavy, you could clean an oven with it. With so many layers and aural textures, the music bombards your senses like a giant sensory bombardment machine. The limited edition version comes with a free DVD, containing a mini documentary illustrating the creative process behind the massive sounding songs. It’s insightful, informative and insane ... but in a good way.

– AB Kade Rogers