Asian Dub Foundation are true warriors of the desi underground. Since their inception some 12 years ago, ADF have come from London's basement studios through the forefront of fusion music to a mainstream flirt, which includes a Mercury Prize nomination for 'Rafi's Revenge' in 1998. The collective comprising of DJ Pandit G, Dr Das, Chandrasonic, Aktar, Spex, Ghetto Priest and the somewhat less enthusiastically sounding Pritpal Rajput have always had a few thoughts to put into their music and their latest release 'Tank' is by no means an exception.

They've got a few friends in the business as well having worked with stars such as Sinead O'Connor and some of the top dance collectives, to performing alongside Primal Scream, the Beastie Boys and no less than David Bowie in tours which span from Brazil to Japan and everything in between.

The Tank opens fire with 'Flyover', a superb drum 'n' bass tune with some great singing and MCing over a wicked beat. All elements of ADF can be heard with guitars, rumbling bass, but the political fireworks are left for later, but its still cool to rock to a general self-exultation track about "burning up the ooh-raahs in south Kensington". Wicked start to the disc and just remember "the drive to destruction is the heaviest sound".

The title track is second, and begins with a slow nursery rhyme and strings, but there's a break and we're hit with an authentic Shaanti break with dramatic Bolly-strings followed by equally impressive MC'ing from Akhtar and Spex describing missiles flying over presumable Iraqi deserts. Another sick track, which must be good as it's a desi underground track, which Irfan actually likes!!

'Hope' comes next and inspires much as the title would suggest. The pulsating bass is upstaged by some remarkably uplifting lyrics with a message that has to be agreed with. Listen to this if you've got shitloads of coursework to do, you've just split with your missus or if you just feel down, it'll make you feel much better.

The politically motivated 'Round Up' comes next, echoing the round up of presumed terrorists in Pakistan/Afghanistan during George W Bush's purge on terror, but on a much more open scale. There's a rock edge to the music, but Ghetto Priest's ominous call that "when you hear their marching drum, you know your time soon come" is a little chilling. More quality ish.

Number five is pure militancy and essentially everything, which ADF stand for. 'Oil' speaks of the economic element to the US invasion of Iraq and the lyric "bipping and blipping as they target residents, of market squares and hospital wards, while King Rat is safe on the wings of a hawk" sums up the piece, as does "We're the children of the CIA, we want somewhere new to play, better get right out of the way". Anti-American sentiments sound amazing and the reiterated growl of "we want your oil". The music is on fire as well, with throbbing b-lines and guitar sounds a platform for a track, which will just get your head moving.

There is a slight break between tracks which I guess is necessary because the politics will make you want to throw a chair at someone, but the beats cool down for 'Powerlines', track six. The electronic expertise of Pandit G and the collective comes through on this mainly instrumental track, which just showcases the immense production talent that ADF have.

The next track 'Who Runs This Place' begins with an immensely promising intro which unfortunately deflates into an electronic-fest with some hypnotic MC'ing on there. Although technically not scintillating, and I must say I hate the rapping / shouting / singing but the sentiments are wicked. Anarchical meanings and an excellent piss take of corporate phone systems ("press one because you have no option") make this worth listening to a few times for its poetry.

Anarchy rages on with 'Take Back The Power', number seven. The vocals are spot on with lyrics that are thought provoking and the strong punk influence sounds all right, but it's the meaning which is more important. Another typical ADF tune.

Everything comes to a near stop with the slow sitar strings, which make the intro of 'Warring Dhol'. You'll sway your head as the dhol rolls in but you'll start banging it when it kicks together. Tribal, radical and belligerent sounds underpin a message about the situation in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Reggae style flows are mint and this is a little like a Dhol Rinse part two but with a bit more of a sly bite. I love it.

As we come towards a close, we're told that 'Tomorrow Begins Today'. This song is a bit more inspirational stuff but it's so slow its difficult to remain in tune. Its well put together and the Bob Marley essence works but its so different from the previous stuff.

The final track is called 'Melody 7', and dreamy affair of superb production that will finally calm you down after such politically motivating and heavy stuff. Its an ideal close to the album which having listened to it is definitely 'the experience of Tank'.

This is blatantly a totally sick Asian alternative album and it gets nothing less than 8.7 out of 10. Anthems galore, a potent political machine and some excellent desi dance beats mean that shells from the Tank will simply have to land in your record collection if you can see past Jay Sean, Raghav and Lembher. Importantly, you don't get lost in the message as the music has a vibrancy and energy which mean you can listen to it with your mind elsewhere as well as those times when you are feeling destructive.