WHEN debates have raged about nature versus nurture leading thinkers probably did not have a motorbike gang in mind.

But that age old dilemma is at the centre of Kurt Sutter's excellent series, Sons of Anarchy, which has been likened to The Sopranos.

The crime drama, which has now concluded after seven seasons, is about an outlaw motorbike club in a small fictional town in California.

It centres on Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam) and his journey from vice president of the club to president following in the tyre marks of his late dad John, one of Sons of Anarchy's founding members.

After reading letters left by John and with much speculation about what actually happened to him when he died, Jax begins to question the club and his place in it.

He longs for a more legitimate life but the 'brotherhood' of biker life is all he has grown up with so his loyalty is split between the club and his strained relationship with his partner Tara (Maggie Siff) and his kids.

Sutter's story arcs are compelling throughout. He was previously a writer on The Shield and spent time with bike gangs as research for the drama.

Hellboy's Ron Perlman also stands out as the corrupt and ruthless Clay Morrow and Futurama's Katey Sagal is exceptional as Jax's fiery mum Gemma.

Uncompromising and gritty, Sons of Anarchy offers a glimpse of the dark side of the American Dream through drugs, guns, gangs and prostitution in a world where redemption is miles down the road.

- Sons of Anarchy season seven is released on DVD and Blu-ray on Monday