Made up of members of The Sleeping and Coheed And Cambria drummer Josh Eppard, it would perhaps be overstating it to give Held. supergroup status, but there’s no question this debut album is superb. Cherrypicking the best qualities from both bands – The Sleeping’s grandstanding quirkiness, Coheed’s propulsive dynamism – GREY still manages to sound entirely its own thing.

This trio’s post-hardcore sound is often rawer than flapping sushi, though CONSTANT TENSION and I AND I AGAINST YOU ALL are sharp and incisive tunes that cut to the quick, sometimes unpredictably, but always with an unflagging forward momentum. Douglas Robinson’s voice may be a bit of an acquired taste, but his irrational rasp is perfectly sorted to the material. As is his guitar playing, a lesser known talent from a guy known for his singing.

Frank Iero’s appearance on NEW YOU ANTHEM finds him going the other way, with the My Chemical Romance/L.S. Dunes axeman adding bruising vocals to the excellent NEW YOU ANTHEM, thereby showcasing Held.’s impeccable taste in guests. Later, High Vis singer Graham Sayle’s appearance brings some British punchiness to proceedings in the midst of this maelstrom of U.S> East Coast musicians.

Some records of this kind can lack musical variety, so it’s refreshing that BROKEN SPACESUIT (DECAY AND SAND) and EMPTINESS – A SIDE EFFECT offer welcome contrast. These quieter moments of reflection prove that moodiness doesn’t have to be marauding, with the latter song featuring one of the year’s most fascinating lyrics (‘I am the side effect of every side effect you ignore’). Never mind the side effects, just don’t call this lot a side project. Their music is way too special for that.

Rating: 4/5

For fans of: Taking Back Sunday, L.S. Dunes, AFI

GREY is out now via MNRK Heavy.