It’s no joke stating that Full Blown Chaos is one of the hardest working bands in Metal today.  These New Yorkers never stop touring and their brand of Hardcore is chunkier and heavier than most.  After endless supporting slots and life on an indie label, Full Blown Chaos may finally get the push from Metal Blade to challenge Hatebreed for the throne of most popular Hardcore band amongst Metalheads.

Opener “Doomageddon” has been clearly crafted for pit decimation. Chugging riffs and breakdowns compete with some Thrash grooves in a swirling mass of bludgeoning metal.  “Villains” initially sounds just like the opening track until the band decides to fuse Slayer with Terror. Vocalist Ray Mazzola’s guttural growl is fantastic and gives the music an extra layer of aggression.  “Rise and Conquer” shows the band has a few more aces up their sleeves as the riffs really take over and distance themselves from the usual Hardcore chug.

Unfortunately “The Walking Dead” relies too heavily upon a numb, barbaric chug-fest to get the song going anywhere. However, “Silence is Golden” shows Full Blown Chaos knows how to crank out some lethal speed and even some righteous melody.  “Die Like You Live” rumbles and grinds like a tank trying to ascend a mountainside while “Gravedigger” manages to crank out some crafty riffs and even a great melodic hook between the lurching Neanderthal grooves.  “Gutter Mouth” meanders a bit and the breakdowns sound forced as the song seems to want to take off.  The band hits one out of the park with the hustling crunch of “War Machines” and “Battle Hymns and Broken Bones” is way too fast to be a MMA-meathead ring entrance song.  “C.O.B.R.A.” sounds a bit unfocused and the blast beat versus breakdown of “Cain Marko” is a tad confusing.  But “The Path I Walk” shows Full Blown Chaos is on the cusp of shedding their Hardcore skin before detonating the progression with an unnecessary breakdown.

Metalheads beware: Full Blown Chaos is breakdown friendly.  While they don’t get silly with them like most ‘core bands, they do liberally season most of their songs with at least one.  And this is where Hatebreed will continue to ace them.  Hatebreed now has this strange Slayer meets Crowbar-vibe and tours with Napalm Death and Cannibal Corpse have clearly rubbed off.  Full Blown Chaos doesn’t want to turn their back on their roots so they clearly are trying to appeal to Hardcore kids while trying to impress the Metalheads that started off with Pantera and Biohazard before upgrading to Skinless. But that doesn’t drag upon their self-titled disc.  In fact, if you are one of those Metalheads out there that will actually admit to slumming with Hatebreed, Full Blown Chaos is pretty much essential. So if you wear camouflage Tapout gear while pumping iron in the gym, Full Blown Chaos needs to be blasting from your earbuds.

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1.  Doomageddon
2.  Villains
3.  Rise and Conquer
4.  The Walking Dead
5.  Silence is Golden
6.  Die Like You Live
7.  Gravedigger
8.  Gutter Mouth
9.  War Machines
10.  Battle Hymns and Broken
       Bones
11.  C.O.B.R.A.
12.  Cain Marko
13.  The Path I Walk

Total playing time:  43:36

Release Date: February 1, 2011
Label:  Metal Blade Records

Full Blown Chaos - Full Blown Chaos

Reviewer: Rottenbucher

April 3, 2011