After finally finding out who Billy Talent was after months and months of wondering – I had seen the video for ‘River Below’ and promptly forgotten who the band and song name was – I took it upon myself to visit the band’s official website. In that time, you had to go to some weird sites to find your favourite videos. And dodgy sites had to be accessed to get your pirated music. It wasn’t as easy as today.

Back in 2005, ‘Line & Sinker’ was one of three tracks that were available to listen to for free on Billy Talent’s homepage. That along with ‘Try Honesty’ and ‘Standing in the Rain’, I want to say. And as a ten year old, as I was then, there’s nothing that gets you pumped up and hyperactive like a man screaming in your ears alongside some fast guitars and thrashing drums. ‘Line & Sinker’ delivers these two things for a predominant part of its length, and is probably the edgiest song on the first Billy Talent album. The track looks at a narrator who’s a bit of an outcast, despises the popular kids who consider themselves great, gets picked on and feels downtrodden but still knows that they still have potential even if no one else sees it.

I’ve read some reviews or pieces that deride singer Ben Kowalewicz’s vocals for being a bit grating. I could see it. But I’ve also been listening to this track for about fifteen years now, so clearly I have no problem with it. think it perfectly fits the mood and tone in this one. And alternating with guitarist Ian D’Sa’s vocals in the chorus, it makes for some good listening. I wouldn’t call it my favourite from the album, but it’s a great cut that really keeps the energy going. Some people may also recognise this song from a scene in 2003 film Grind. Though I did have my interest in skating phase for a while, I don’t think I’ll be watching that any time soon.