In keeping with the old cliché "the third time's a charm," PM5K hits the mark with its aptly titled third major-label release.

The group's 1997 debut reflected its once-unique hip-hop/rock sound, but Limp Bizkit blew up first, leaving PM5K with the choice of either looking like a copy-cat, or reinventing itself. The group chose the latter, but its first attempt, 1999's "Tonight the Stars Revolt"--complete with a comic-book-ish image makeover--came off as contrived.

This time, a more mature PM5K, headed by frontman Spider One--one of only two remaining original members--delivers a solid, hard-rocking set that has a fresh feel. Spider spends more time singing than screaming or rapping, and sounds perfectly comfortable and confident doing so (and also sounds a lot like Marilyn Manson, incidentally), while the guitar-heavy band tears off jagged riffs that successfully fuse punk, pop and industrial. All of it is seasoned with enough hooks to make just about any song radio-friendly, particularly the first single, "Free."

The group has found its niche. Now let's see if a sizeable audience finds the group.