HUGELY popular in Germany and the rest of mainland Europe, Placebo have staged a far quieter coup in the UK, but this year look set to publicly take their throne, co-headlining the Isle of Wight Festival and playing to over 8,000 fans at Alexandra Palace.

HUGELY popular in Germany and the rest of mainland Europe, Placebo have staged a far quieter coup in the UK, but this year look set to publicly take their throne, co-headlining the Isle of Wight Festival and playing to over 8,000 fans at Alexandra Palace.

Frontman Brian Molko has said the band was aiming for back-to-basics simplicity rather than hiding themselves behind studio trickery for album five.

And to a certain extent they have managed it.

Their trademarks of Molko's squeak, dark-yet-glammy rock sounds and druggy subject matter remains, but Meds is more of a slow-burner than previous efforts.

Persevere and you may just be surprised. 3/5