I can recommend this lot to anyone who likes a bit of Retro Hard Rock with a hearty dose of Sleaze.

Italian stallions Midnight Sin are hoping to make a splash with their debut album, although they may hold themselves back with a title and cover that screams "lame" at the top of its voice. Get past these (and the pointless ninety second intro track) however, and you'll find an album that has much more quality than expected.

The word "Glam" comes up a lot when people are discussing MS, but I can't really hear it. Maybe they wear stack heels and tons of makeup onstage, but their best music is pure Hard Rock and all the better for not coming over as another Mötley Crüe clone. They've got a healthy dose of Sleaze about them, although tracks like 'You Piss Me Off' and 'Code: 69' are quite weak.

Where they excel is in big riffed, balls to the wall Rock tracks that channel early Skid Row (main opener 'Midnight Revolution') and hints of Guns N' Roses ('2 Words'). Vocals are handled very well by Albert Fish, and the clear production allows the songs to shine whenever possible.

'Sex First' should have been a disaster from the cover and name, but it's a very competent, down and dirty Hard Rock album with several very good tracks and some sensitive lyrics amongst the sleaze. When they really go for it, Midnight Sin can Rock the joint with the best of them, with the lesser tracks still retaining some attraction. For this reason I can recommend this lot to anyone who likes a bit of Retro Hard Rock with a hearty dose of Sleaze.

Alan Holloway