After the success of Billy Talent II, fans were told that the next album would be named Billy Talent III. The reason why II was such a success because it was a fun, personal and inspiring album that had a sting to it. II definitely showed that they had so much more to give after their debut. So will III leave fans astounded by Billy Talent’s efforts once again?

III starts with Devil On My Shoulder which seems like a cynical and sadistic joke that is played on somebody as lead singer Ben Kowalewicz sings “Thirsty for water/You give me vinegar. Well I drink your medicine/It just makes me sicker.” This a great opener because with D’sar’s haunting chords accompanied by Solowoniuk’s pounding drums, the track has the sound from their predecessor, but taken to another level, so that it now has the potential of capsizing ships. Rusted From The Rain sees Billy Talent continuing their theme of personal experiences. The song revolves around marital break ups as lyrics suggest “Go on crush me like a flower, rusted from the rain/Come on strip me of my power/Beat me with your chains.” The imagery that Kowalewicz brings forward is so brutal because it makes you feel that he was treated that way metaphorically.

Saint Veronika is a stand out track. Again the song is based around personal themes but my God the dynamics of this song are incredible. The bridge is an absolute monster which has a fuzz- distorted guitar riff that resembles the Devil In A Midnight Mass guitar riff. But when all instruments come together, the song is taken to another place. Kowalewicz’s vocal range is incredible while he sings “And while the angels sleep/All the devils are awake/Waiting to steal your love right outside of heaven’s gate.” White Sparrows is one of the saddest songs the band have written. The song is based around of a loss of a partner. The lyrics “My heart just stopped when I was told/Doctor doctor on the phone/Said my love was never coming home” are so personal that it makes the listener want to break down in tears themselves. The Dead Can’t Testify starts with a quiet introduction but then evolves into a belting guitar riff. The way Kowalewicz sets the scene with the imagery of rain with the gallows pole makes this a melancholic setting for the listener. The chorus is ridiculously catchy “And the angels sing/Let it shine, let it shine/Dry the teardrops from my eyes/And the bells will ring when the blind lead the blind ’cause the dead can’t testify!”

Diamond On A Landmine revolves around winning back your partner. In the chorus you almost feel like Kowalweicz is pleading for them in a desperate attempt “Forever, forever, I’d walk a thousand miles just to tell her to tell her/Our love is still alive/You’d better watch your step she’s a diamond on a landmine.” The bridge of the track is brilliant because not only does the song slow down but the guitar riff resembles The Police’s guitarist Andy Summers, who in fact is one of D’sar’s heroes! Turn Your Back is a political statement that conveys a similar message to Red Flag. The song is a way of addressing people to question them about whether they are going to make a difference in the world. The lyric “And you can turn your back or you can plant the seed/You can choose compassion over universal greed” makes the listener change their perspective about the world within a second.

Billy Talent III once again destroys all expectations for fans. The album contains the same traits of II but with a hell of lot more intensity and drive behind it. What’s magnificent about III is how well arranged every track is. The album is a masterpiece in it’s own right and Billy Talent have once again left fans gritting at the teeth, wanting to come back for even more.