CHOKE CHAIN (INDUSTRIAL/DARK INDUSTRIAL, REVIEW) - 'DECOMPOSITION' EP (RELEASED JULY 10TH, NEGATIVE GAIN PRODUCTIONS)
1. Misunderstood – The harmonies are excellent, running nicely in the background, which is a noticeable theme throughout the Decomposition EP. Bog enjoyed the drum kick entering after the intro.
Bog believes Chain Choke’s dual approach – the blend
of harsh vocals with clean harmonic melodies in the background creates an
unforgettable listening experience for the ear.
On one side, there are anarchic punk vocals full of despair,
frustration, anger, and anguish, and on the other, atmospheric harmonies to
hook the listener.
The bassline and drum patterns take us in and out of each section.
Near the outro, a gradual fade-out takes us out with a powerful sample to close
Misunderstood.
2. Decomposition – The title track features a nice bassy synth-ish line to start with the drum kick coming around 16 seconds in with a steady build transitioning into a rhythmic 1, 2. It’s a solid, strong rhythm and Bog was instantly counting the BPM.
The drum pattern is as cold as an Arctic morning and has a
mechanical feel with ice-like precision. The dual approach, mentioned
previously, returns with the harmonies in the background dropping in to
generate mood and atmosphere.
Chain Choke possess a cinematic quality and Decomposition
is like walking down a block where everything around you isn’t what it
seems. You are looking around, wondering if people know that you know. Place
yourself in that setting, amp up the paranoia - which is how Decomposition sounds
to the ear.
It would be a good stomp track to mix in a set, or listening and counting along. The outro bars are tight with the featured audio samples for a few seconds.
3. Morgue – The introduction with the audio commentary is grim, disturbing, and unapologetically dark. 31 seconds in, the slow, ominous… piano keys drop, serving as the melody component, but it feels like slowly being dragged down to the dark depths of despair, literally.
An instrumental horror score that should take hold of your
ears. Listen to Morgue in a room with all the lights off to really exaggerate
the atmosphere. It works as a solid interlude for live sets, probably scaring
the crowd to pay attention to what will follow.
Composed and co-ordinated to a high standard, and succeeds in
presenting a fearful score!
4. Life Ends – The dual approach is showcased again from the intro and continues with notable harmonics in the background, and there are notable EBM feels in places.
At 27 secs, drum kicks and the drum patterns transport the
listener deeper and deeper into sonic dread. The audio samples that chime in and
out of the track help convey the sensation of psychological horror.
The frequencies are aligned excellently and I do like the
dominant melody in the background, which strengthens the already described
horror.
Life Ends also features a subtle last section with
the vox and commentary sample flowing into an eerie fade-out that does project
the feels!
5. Imprisoned – Features another sick drum pattern on
the intro with an awesome background melody and disturbing EBM feels (in a good
way). There is also a punk influence bleeding through in terms of energy and
the vibe - maybe a Bog ear malfunction, but it just has that mood to it as it
progresses.
The harmonics on Imprisoned are some of his favorites
on Decomposition. They are subtle, but catch your ears with a horror vibe.
Can Bog paint a visual picture again from suffering a dose of musical stimulation?
You know those horror movies where someone is running in a forest
all alone, or a mysterious figure walks into the frame, then leaves? The
harmonics, drum patterns, and the frequencies are musically on point, and hook
the ear, but Imprisoned is also full of eerie horror aspects.
Bog also would like to draw your attention to the outro section.
It has a nice build with a rewarding payoff. It contains those gloomy melodies
and sinister synthy basslines. A tight, sick track.
6. Decomposition (MVTANT Remix) – The remix from MVTANT of the EP title track features
a higher tempo and further consistent drum patterns, which were fun to count and
a good line to follow. The melody remains strong and catchy, and halfway
through there is a good loop for stomping.
2:38 features a solid breakdown drop emphasizing the drums,
bass, and the synth-ish lines.
3:11 drops to focus on the drums, then the line drops at 3:28
and is exhilarating. It is a highly enjoyable drop with a tight flow and build.
It would be sick for a live set for sure and should get the crowd popping.
It is an excellently orchestrated remix and Bog is nodding
his head in time underneath his hoodie.
7. Imprisoned (Mortal Realm Remix) – Bog had
anticipated how the remix would flow and build from start to end given who was
remixing. Bog’s swamp mouth was exhibiting signs of ampedness. His mouth was
rather foaming! Two words already: ‘sick’ and ‘slays’. Ok, Bog will try to scribe
more than just shouting ‘sick, sick, slays’, but there is a moment, a drop, it’s
total fire.
The BPM is mid-pacey-ish, yup counting along, another track hooking you in. Quite a banger! Harmonics drop
in smoothly, slick lines, and solid horroresque horrorcore feels again. Beats
would be fire for DNB too.
Apologies, struggling a little here, falling off the magical
device platform again, because Bog is stomping in the bog water and splashing! Fire
way to close out the EP.
Ok, ok, we are at the moment. The serious Bog wearing a golf
jacket to sit down and be sensible is escaping…
After receiving your copy of Decomposition in July.
2:27 is when you run to the mirror if not with friends and increase
the volume louder! Just point at your reflection and say “ok swanky pant boots,
it be the time for stomping!”
Bog may take some time to close up the review, currently
stomping around the swamps to the music. There are some coffee and refreshments
in the reception area.
Imprisoned (Mortal Realm Remix) is a terrific track, after which you may need to breathe, and the exceptional drop we described above couples with the vox so tightly!
Rating – Choke Chain’s Decomposition is an enjoyable,
accessible, and wide-ranging listen across a number of areas that Bog will try
to break down.
For those with dark palettes, it is quite an interesting and
appealing amalgamation. The vocals are abrasive, harsh, anarchic, and full of
punk energy. They purvey and project themes of dread and despair, which are some
of the foundations for the EP.
The beat structure is also interesting to those who enjoy industrial
hip hop, horrorcore, and underground hip hop. Bog’s friends from that community
will appreciate the structure, layering, and arrangement, which highlights the
organizational strength of the EP.
Decomposition is an atmospheric, cold, dark, and
unforgiving journey into a nightmarish world, assaulting the senses with a relentless
machine-like focus, refusing to let go of the listener.
https://chokechain.bandcamp.com/album/decomposition
Follow & Support CHOKE CHAIN:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/05Bn8DwUlvgCvMLnhcVxQ9
https://chokechain.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/chokechain
https://www.instagram.com/choke_chain/
CHOKE CHAIN LIVE:
6/23 Minneapolis, MN - New World
6/24 Eau Claire, WI - The Plus
6/25 Madison, WI - Gamma Ray Bar
6/26 Chicago, IL - Sleeping Village
6/27 Milwaukee, WI - Quarter’s
