When Thomas More’s sixteenth century novel first coined the neologism ‘utopia’ it was, according to most commentators, a deliberate play on the ambiguity between two possible Greek etymologies: topos (place) with the prefix derived from either eu- (good) or ou- (no). This London band makes the origin of their name unequivocal, with the extra ‘e’ on the front, but I have to say my feelings remain ambivalent.

Despite the press release’s misleading comparisons to both Nine Inch Nails and Metallica, ‘Valentine’ is a soppy prog-rock power ballad that will probably have some reaching for their lighters and others nauseated. No doubt there will be a few who appreciate this melodic rock number, but I think the majority will probably find such cringe-worthy in the 21^st century. A guilty pleasure at best.

(2˝/5)