Chain Reaction - Vicious Circle
Self-financed

file under death metal / grindcore

Vera: Chain Reaction is looking for a label and I suggest that label bosses would check out this band, since they recruit a potential hit with these five Polish guys. With this self-financed debut ‘Vicious Circle’ they prove that a robust modern metal album still has the right to exist in this extensive death/thrash scene.

The band was founded by four friends in 2002 and only two years later vocalist Bartok joined the intensive rehearsing team. Two demos were recorded and a second guitarist Dani was added after they got some experience by playing as much gigs as possible. In September 2007 they recorded this full-length album at the ZED Studios in Poland. A chunky and dynamic sound is the result.

Machine Head seems the main influence. Music-wise, but also vocal-wise because singer Bartok reminds me a lot of Rob Flynn with his intelligible growls, though he reminded me a bit of Lemmy too in the song ‘Worlds Of War’. The reason why this album is amazing can be found in the guitar skills of Wodzirej and Dani. They swallow the bait, but never forget the melodic element either. Each song includes a fine extra. In ‘Worlds Of War’ it is a spoken sampler with delicious guitar ornaments, in the stomping ‘Values’ I get a kick of the phasing effect on guitars and in the steamy ‘Stark Reality’ I love the part with clean vocals and acoustic guitars. That’s why the entire album remains exciting. A semblance of modern metalcore can be heard on the record as well. ‘Freedom’ should be a proper single because of its catchy chorus, while the slower ‘Slave’ appears to be another favourite of mine. With a bit of luck we will hear a lot about this band in future! In ‘Stark Reality’ they sing: “In the end you’re the master of the scene’ and let us hope this might be a vision of future.

Rating 81/100 (details)

http://www.chainreaction.pl

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