A NEW AGE OF DARKNESS
(GOTH ROCK/POST PUNK)
NIGHTBREED/SECRET SIN
From here in the surreal wilds of Nottingham come Chaos Bleak, a band with a lengthy pedigree in the UK Goth scene through previous acts, coming together to continue putting out strong music.
Their sound is firmly rooted in Gothic Rock, with elements of Post Punk giving an edge that helps the trio to carve their own niche in what can be an overcrowded scene. There is a self-assured swagger and confidence to the band in both their music and their stage presence. I've seen them live twice and have loved them both times.
Here's a band that completely believes in every note of their material, and that totally comes across here. I'm certainly familiar with other acts guitarist Trevor Bamford has been a part of, in particular Midnight Configuration at the height of the 90s popularity of the iconic Nightbreed Recordings that he oversaw. There's no denying that Nightbreed and the bands it released and promoted via its glorious catalogues were a huge factor in the continuation of the UK scene at the time.
But here and now we have Chaos Bleak, featuring the silken gothic croon of Piers, who leads the band through a 14 track album of songs that would work in any period of the darker scenes.
Dark rock guitars (with an occasional metallic chug) are swathed in effects that make the guitar parts paint a soundscape rather than overtake the songs themselves. A variety of esoteric and emotional subjects are covered lyrically, and the programmed rhythms do their job admirably. The bass is used like a second rhythm guitar to these ears, which really fills the sound out.
The production is spot on, with plenty of low end and a sterling mix and mastering job. Highlights amongst a whole album of highlights include the Killing Joke-tinged 'Return/Revenge', the perfectly structured dark pop of 'Write Her Name In Diamonds', 'Seven Orchids', 'Watch the Night Sky' (which again has touches of Killing Joke's darker moments) and the urgent 'Beneath the Moon'.
I have the physical version of the album and it looks and sounds fantastic. The gothic scene is alive and well in 2021, and Chaos Bleak are scratching an itch for a pure, driving goth sound that delivers the goods on every track.
Check them out and see why I wear the hell out of the shirt of theirs I bought. The past and present are chaotic, and the future is bleak, but at least we have the perfect soundtrack for the dystopian nightmare we're hurtling towards.
Visit Chaos Bleak:
See Chaos Bleak in action in my 'Fun With Goths' episode of PLANET HEX:
Comments
Trev