Back to summer of 2004, Shagrath of Dimmu Borgir decided to start a side project with 5 fellow chums including Lex Icon of the Kovenant (who unfortunately had to leave the band in 2005) and Luna of Ashes to Ashes. With influences from classic rock and metal bands including Motorhead, Iron maiden and Venom.
Whilst in the middle of recording their debut album (Doomsday Rock ‘n’ Roll) they were contacted and signed up by major label Nuclear Blast. Shagrath then had other band Dimmu to attend to, long tour and travelling, then coming back knackered yet raring to go with another Chrome album titled ‘Booze, Broads and Beezlebub’ which contains a cover of ZZ Top’s ‘Sharp Dressed Man’. Now on their third release ‘3rd Round Knockout’ which is released May 6th.
A brutal dark riff to start ‘3rd Round Knockout’ with ‘Bulldogs Unleashed’ along with perfectly fitted angry growly yet strangely clear vocals of Shady Blue (Susperia). The marching drum/ group vocal section gives you a moment for a bit of fist thumping action. The guitar solo is all over the place, awesome! ‘7 G-Strings’ is exactly what it says on the tin with the opening line “I love to eat Pussy”. This one could easily be passed as a Type O Negative track. With the doomy riffs and a Pete Steele style vocals. I skipped the next track ‘Join The Ride’ after around 30 seconds due to the group vocals sounding a bit.... well..... crap. ‘Unholy Roller’, catchy and good enough for a headbang, with a solo that you wouldn’t expect on an album like this, hair metal much?
With ‘Zombies and Monsters’ I was expecting a guest appearance along the lines of Wednesday 13, sadly not (that would have given me a giggle, Shagrath and Wednesday 13? Hmm) The funky rock and roll riffs throughout are impressive and just after the middle section it felt like I was on some sort of Monster drag race, along with the lyrics of slaying down Zombies.. Did Murderdolls write this?
A superb start to ‘Fight (Rumble and Roll)’ with a slow intro and soothing guitar melody, then blasts you in the face with a grand grow, but unfortunately turns into something rather cheesy and the chorus reminds me of that god awful Andrew WK.
‘The Magic Man’ YES! Now this is summer music. Full of rock and blues, perfect music to sit in the sun supping a nice cold Jack Daniels over ice. Something that Kid Rock has tried and failed, well done Chrome Division on kicking his ass.
Moving on to the last track ‘Ghost Rider In The Sky’ you gotta love this one, made famous (but not written) by the legendary Johnny Cash. Add a bit off speed to the track and bobs your uncle, a winning song and if you don’t sing ‘Yippee aye Ohh Yippee Aye eeeh’ then I will be sorely disappointed.
Admittedly I have never actually given Chrome Division a listen to, but being a big fan of Dimmu Borgir I had to give this one a go. Gladly 80% of the album is perfect, with only 2 tracks failing to win me over. Definitely recommended, and if you’re a newbie to these then give them a listen, pronto!
http://www.chromedivision.com/
