If you name your EP "weet Violence, you're setting yourself up for a lot of judgement. Thankfully, Chaos Reigns come out on top as they deliver a record that is oh so sweet and oh so violent.
Few scenes in the world are as strong and as vital right now as British hardcore. Currently experiencing a post-pandemic boom fueled by disenchantment and anger at the fractured country in which they live, there’s a vitriol to bands that had been absent for quite a while. Channelling a litany of well known bands yet possessing a distinctly English identity are Chaos Reigns. With a chaotic, unpredictable sound that brings to mind aspects of Converge and Cave In, the London crew have been an exciting force over the last few years since they burst back into life in 2022 and have already shared the stage with bands such as Harms Way and Loathe in their career.
Known for a live show that looks to get the crowd moving in various violent ways, it has always been present in their music but this new EP, appropriately titled Sweet Violence lets the music and the “need to hurt someone else or myself” vibes coalesce in a much better way. Described by the band as a record which addresses the contradictions of life and the boundaries between pain and pleasure, it promises to be a complex, striking piece of music.
Opener ‘False Gods’ bursts and squeals its way into life, with some stomping distortion the perfect backdrop to Jason Heightman’s desperate roar which soon gives way to a One Of Us Is The Killer era Dillinger-esque sinister passage. It isn’t the first time that the mathcore legends will be sonically referenced during this record, with the unrelenting drums and guitars that sound like the strings are barely clinging to life adding to a frantic atmosphere. You can almost see the veins popping out of Jason’s neck as the ending barrage of ‘Graveyard Shift’ belts your ears all over. It definitely feels like the level of danger and bug eyed fury has been amped up several notches in not just the songwriting, but the production also.
Perhaps the highlight is ‘Snakes & Branches’, which at times strays into Every Time I Die territory in not just the southern fried danceable chaos in the riffs, but the Keith Buckley-isms in the vocals and delivery. Of course, this is no mere aping, as the band’s own stamp is put into things and the whole thing possesses a cheeky British punk feel. The final track, clocking in at a shade under 8 minutes features the unlikely guest vocals of Mikey Chapman from Mallory Knox, whose more melodic and softer style is a wonderful contrast, is a crushing slab of a closer. Blending Touche Amore, Converge and perhaps most intriguingly, some Heck into an all engulfing cacophony of extremity and beauty, it smashes through any expectations of the band you’ve garnered on your listen thus far and immediately puts Chaos Reigns in a different level to some.
Few bands aim to create an album that sounds as dangerous and as ramshackle as their aforementioned influences but Chaos Reigns are one of a select few who manage to achieve it. A stunning piece of music that will have you battling through a wide array of emotions all while keeping you on your toes for the next fight riff to barge in.