Star Industry!? I didn't realise they were still going. Back in the 90s there were so many gothic rock bands that I didn't feel able to keep up with them all. In this decade any band still left standing immediately catches my interest. It doesn't matter that the only Star Industry song I truly loved was “Nineties”, I find the return of Star Industry a reason to celebrate. It helps they've made a good album too.

Opening song “Lost Generation” has a similar feel to The Merry Thoughts' “Second Generation” beyond just the similarity of title. The strings-sounding synths - last used on The Sisterhood's Gift album are dusted down to good effect. It’s the sort of song we’ve all heard before, not least from Star Industry themselves, but sometimes I just love to hear songs about ‘radiation’ – it’s probably because I got used to living under the shadow of the bomb in the 80s. Star Industry aren’t innovators, they’re renovators. They don’t just paint the walls neutral colours though, they decorate everything in black, just as we like it. Sometimes they add a little purple. “Pray” has the flavour of Funhouse, both musically and lyrically, with singer Peter Beckers asking: “Could it be the last time?”

We are back in the domain of The Sisterhood for “Forever”. There are subtle electronics, but emotion is to the fore. Thankfully Eldritch isn't one to get involved in legal disputes over property (hem, hem) as this is very close to “Giving Ground”. As a listener I think this is a very good thing. Elsewhere “Out Of My Head” entwines synths and guitars and builds to a genuinely thrilling climax. When Peter tells us he's taken advice from Lucifer on “Sin” it's a thrilling moment of Eldritch-like arrogance. A seductive female vocal adds to the intoxication. This is the sort of song that I hope the neighbours don’t see me dancing across the lounge to.

“Last Crusades” is a rousing call to arms. “The Return of David Gun” is Star Industry’s tribute to The Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy For The Devil”. Who can argue with the sentiment: ‘I want to go to the place I belong’? The key message is ‘I’m walking home’ which has greater significance in the context of the narrative, rather than just describing after hours perambulations from a licenced establishment on a Friday night. “Substitutes” features a spooky organ and heavy riffing. The haunting female vocal returns.

“The Spirits Within” is another classic Sisters sound. Once again Peter implores a mysterious other to do something. In this song his demands include to ‘Release me! Receive me!’ Then there’s talk of angels ‘falling down’. “Fallen From Grace” brings things to a close. It starts slowly, building to an emotional climax. I would have liked a little more of this sort of dynamic in Star Industry’s songs, rather than straightforward four-to-the-floor rockers that dominate this album (though they are fun too). This would make an excellent finish to a Star Industry gig, with Peter imploring the audience: ‘Raise up these hands!’ I can just see the punters swaying along to this elegiac finale.

While it is hard to argue that this album is essential to your life I know that every time I hear a song it's like a shot of caffeine, I have increased focus, greater motivation, I feel more awake and have a general feeling of well-being. Whether I will develop a headache when I don't get my Star Industry-fix remains to be seen...