Bulletproof - Dark Times, Desperate Measures

Rating: * * * *

Brrr, it's cold outside. The world is a dark place. But never fear, Auckland drum 'n' bass missionary Bulletproof is dead set on saving us. He's the d'n'b Marvin Gaye who's come to save the children.

With a berserk mix of brutal beats, pummelling ebbs and flows, and smouldering soundscapes, his second album is a call to arms. And along the way you can dance your arse off, which is one way to warm up in these dark times.

In contrast to 2007 debut Shake The Foundations, which was a collection of tracks gathered over six or so years, Dark Times - Desperate Measures is a more focused and cohesive album.

The two title tracks - Desperate Measures and Dark Times (with a fiery Tiki Taane guest spot) - erupt in a flail of beats, oscillating frequencies, and verbal sparring.

There's the nicely mangled Wreckage, which will separate your upper body from your legs if you're not careful, while the lighter flow of Line Of Sight and the darker dubstep moments of Syria and Repeat Offender mean the album is a beautifully balanced beast.

There's nothing particularly revolutionary about Bulletproof's musical approach but it's solid, propulsive and emotive. And compared to Australian drum 'n' bass outfit Pendulum's latest album, it's like a brick wall rather than a fancy, flimsy trellis.

Scott Kara