The North Manchester Retribution is Paul Bardsley, presumably one of the growing number of bedroom musicians around the country who writes, records and produces his own music. You’d think this D.I.Y approach is compatible with his love of punk music, but on too many of the Breaking the Silences’ 12 tracks you can’t help but conclude it just doesn’t work. Maybe it’s that Paul drowns his gravely Iggy Pop warble in those heavy rat-distorted guitars and processed drums, or that too many of the songs sound exactly the same. It is hard enough for a band to pull off punk rock, but for one man, nigh impossible. I’d suggest finding some musicians to play with Paul (preferably ones you don’t get on with), then when you start slagging each other’s mums at least you’ll know you’ve got some killer material to go on.

Rating Out of 10: