Ever since the heady days of Grandmaster Flash the art of rapping has always been a tool for expressing the true concerns on the street, whether it's drugs-related violence in American ghettos, racial tensions or the bling-conscious lifestyles of the hood daddies. It's a typically American form of expressing typically American issues so when somewhere like Wales attempts rap, and in turn reflecting the true concerns on the street in, I dunno... downtown Pontypridd perhaps, the resultant squawl is a bunch of stoner buffoons like *Goldie Lookin' Chain *‘wapping' about weed, robotic fantasies and Argos jewellery.

That is, until *Weapons of Mass Belief *came along. These newcomers are set to right the wrong about Wales' reputation with the rhyme through an inspired blend of intelligent, *R.A.T.M. *style social commentary and rap-inflected punk rock. ‘Black Line Ninja' is their second single, following their acclaimed _‘Terrorist Youth' _release last year, and continues with just as much fire and venom. Sinister, cut-throat guitars scythe through taut beats and loaded rhymes in a fashion not heard since the mighty *Shootyz Groove *were tearing it up with their crossover hybrid.

And just like tha' Groove the song has a threatening undercurrent, recalling vocalist Georgia G's unenviable stint in the slammer and the perspective gained from mixing with hardline Yardie gangsters for 9 months aged just 21! Clearly a tough cookie then!

Punk rock with hugely contagious hooks and a deathly socio-political sting, the hunt for Weapons of Mass Belief ends here.