'Wrong Desire' deals with a very common and emotive theme � the violence and abuse against women.

Hopefully it won't take as long to twig that Wait Hell In Pain shortens to W.H.I.P, a significance more fully understood with the realisation that 'Wrong Desire' deals with a very common and emotive theme � the violence and abuse against women.

It all evolves over nine tracks, plus a cover, of Italian Melodic Metal. In fact, genre pigeonholers might push Wait Hell In Pain more towards the Symphonic Metal crossover; they have a harder edge whose magnetism provides a persuasive pull towards the hard side. The series of snapshots portray the key moments of a metaphorical journey of the fictional protagonist May that leads to a rebirth. A time to make a choice between being a wolf or a lamb � hunter or prey � and delivered by the voice of Kate Sale who is a diminutive flame-haired powerhouse one moment, velvet and angelic the next, flanked by four big beefy chaps who provide the musical muscle. She's a star and the perfect persona to convincingly carry the subject matter.

A Classical piano emerges from some twilight zone of sound effects as the frenzied opening of 'The Last Trip' strikes. It's part of an opening salvo that mixes moments of brutality with melody and majesty. They hit the spot in choosing 'Behind The Mask' as the first single � power, emotion and melody all combine in possibly the album highlight. Astute marketing and a great introduction to the band that alongside 'The Confession' � a marching maelstrom that rises, falls and tails off to fade � make up a pair that highlight the strengths of Wait Hell In Pain.

Amidst admiring the musical dexterity and arrangements, it's easy to overlook the lyrical content and the theme which plays such a significant role in 'Wrong Desire'. Without dissecting in detail, the conscious effort to seek revenge in 'You're Never Going To Stop Me' that broods with a grinding soundtrack and aggressive tenacity, and by the time we reach 'New Moon' a song that represents the symbol of renewal and the hope that it shines on May, the hope, nay compelling determination, of rising again is overwhelming. Bagpipe-like keyboard runs almost turn the track into a jig. Closing track 'She Wolf' gives an indication of maybe not quite a happy ending, but at least some closure. The Delain and Within Temptation watchers will surely have their ears pricking up at the imposing sight and sound of Wait Hell In Pain.

Mike Ainscoe