Ashes Of Misery
A few months ago I did a live review on a Flesh Made Sin and State:Chaos gig in Geleen in the South of the Netherlands (Limburg). In that review I told you about this new band State:Chaos, which was formed early 2006 by members and ex-members from a.o. Desensitised, Callenish Circle and In Memoriam. I also announced the band was going to record a four-track promo later that year; well, behold, because “Ashes of Misery” has arrived!
Although the band already has around eleven complete songs of own material they decided to record just four of them, to give it a try and use them as promotion. Well, I can honestly tell that the four tracks on this promo reflect in a very professional way what you can expect during an entire live show! The emphasis in State:Chaos’ music lies on fast-played melodic riffs that are mainly rooted in modern Scandinavian and some old school Bay Area thrash. Together with a solid rhythm-section and death metal grunts and shouts the overall sound is technical, aggressive and melodic at the same time. “Ashes of Misery” opens with “Into the Ashes”; a nice instrumental intro that, structure-wise, reminds me a bit to old Metallica and Iced Earth with a subtle duet between acoustic and mellow electric guitars. From there on it’s full speed ahead when “Desecration of Life” immediately kicks in and doesn’t take prisoners! In “To Die Again” guitar-player Rocco’s background in Callenish Circle is peaking through within the typical short and fast melodic Swedish riffs (although it’s other guitar-player Mischa who wrote the music by the way). The pace is mainly up-tempo with short mid-tempo breaks and soloing, only to return to its original speed! Even within the technical and fast stuff the sound stays erect and tight like it should be! Since the music is based on thrash riffs and melody perhaps singer Remco’s vocals sometimes sound a bit too brutal, but never in an annoying way though. The title-track “Ashes of Misery” continues and finishes up where the band started and before I even realise the four tracks already are through! Within 15 minutes State:Chaos makes clear where they stand for and they do that with absolute verve!
The tracks were recorded at the Toneshed Studio and have a very clear production what gives all the details exactly what they need to sound to the fullest. Yes, “Ashes of Misery” turned out a very impressive promo that will appeal to many listeners. You can listen to three of the songs on the band’s My Space site and after you imprinted the songs in your mind you can witness the band live on the following dates: March 10 (cd-presentation Engine of Pain with Callenish Circle) in Azijnfabriek, Roermond and April 14 in the Fenix, Sittard (cd-presentation Deathfall). Thrash tilLimburg!