IN the darkest days of Northern Ireland's Troubles the many attempts by movements such as the Peace People to bring it to an end to the fighting proved futile, but punk rock became a unifying force amongst young people.

And, one band in particular articulated the frustration and anger at a land dominated by bigoted politicians and

THE metal snobs sometimes dismiss European power metal, but they do so without realising the sheer majesty in the unrestrained, unconstrained joy - and right now there are few better examples on the scene than the Nuclear Blast release from Sonata Arctica.

Out now, Pariah's Child, is a product of the Finnish band, and it is a product