| Musical Style: Hard Rock | Produced By: Oz Fox |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2018 | Artist Website: Chaotic Resemblance |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 40:07 |
New school modern hair metal band Chaotic Resemblance wears a moniker that draws upon Isaiah 40:18: ‘To whom then will ye liken God? Or what likeness will you compare unto him?’ Chaotic (in terms of completely confused or disordered) Resemblance (meaning a likeness, appearance, or semblance of something) offers further detail behind the meaning to its name when suggesting, “No matter how good of Christians we are, we would never be more than a ‘chaotic resemblance’ of Christ”. Hence, its motives to “shine the light of Jesus to a hurting world” and willingness as “sold out Christians devoted to Jesus” to “play anywhere from a bar to a church”. The Chaotic Resemblance press material sums things up fittingly: “Today's world is full of so much hate, lies & deceit. We offer love and hope through rock 'n roll.”
No doubt Chaotic Resemblance draws upon a ‘hair’ or ‘glam’ metal basis in terms of describing its sound in that those both old (Hanoi Rocks, Kix, Junkyard and LA Guns) and new (Black Veil Brides, Hardcore Superstar, Crazy Lixx and Main Line Riders) come to mind when inviting comparison. The group also has the right idea when distinguishing itself (again referencing its press material) as “high intensity (and) in your face metal” that can be compared to “an out of control freight train coming at you a million miles an hour”. I hear much of the same in its Oz Fox (Stryper) produced spring of 2018 sophomore album Covenant with a youthful and high energy joining of melodic metal, hard rock and straightforward heavy metal that comes across more musically consistent than its very fine 80% Angelic Warlord review 2014 debut full length Get The Hell Out. In other words, Covenant finds the Poteua, Oklahoma based act maturing and taking the next step musically.
Short introductory opener “Only The Start” sets the intense stage for what is to come as a bedrock of churlish guitar and drums stand in support of narration that speaks of how, ‘Nothing can change what Jesus has done. Confess with your mouth, believe in your heart. This is not the end start, it’s only the start.’
“Chaotic Nights” cuts in hard and fast in making a bombastic statement, with guitars crunching in and out of the mix for the accelerated verse sections and making a decided statement for the catchy refrain to find front man Travis McConnell revealing his fiery but soaring vocal delivery. Shouted backing vocals help to complete the exuberant picture at hand. Lone complaint is how “Chaotic Nights” instrumentally limits itself to a few brief seconds of rhythm guitar with no guitar solo.
“Tongues Of Fire” ensues as a similar type of all out adrenaline rush. It fades in to offbeat sound effects prior to taking off to a deluge of mid-paced force, resilient with its catchy front-to-back riff action but equally concise from how John Walter Jakway II provides the muscular backbone with his systematic timekeeping. This one does the better job instrumentally as LA Ellis lets loose with a short run of bluesy lead guitar.
“Virtual Reality” returns to an upbeat form in touching upon similar levels of fury not to mention maintaining the overriding hook driven qualities, despite the angst. Chorus, for instance, is quite engaging and certain to remain with you for some time (as one of the albums showcase tracks, it was wise on the groups part to record a video of it). Only constructive commentary is again the lack of a guitar solo.
I hate to harp on the matter, but you would think any album produced by Oz Fox, not to mention mixed by Tony Palacios (Guardian), would make lead guitar a focal point. That said, if the bands guitarist is not comfortable with soloing - and I see no reason why not in that LA Ellis shows fine ability when cutting loose - then perhaps Fox or Palacios could lend a lead guitar hand to a song or two. I think those guys are pretty good.
“Riot Anthem” represents another showstopper, which as its namesake suggest separates as an over the top metal anthem. All the expected ingredients are at hand: pulsating tempo, commanding vocals, the group’s penchant for notable hooks and plenty of shouted ‘Hey! Hey! Hey!’ backing vocals. Topping things off is one of albums better stretches of lead guitar.
Staunch hard rocker “Out Loud” begins to several seconds of open-air guitar that soon joins with the groups assured rhythm section. The precedence is set moving ahead, as a mid-tempo focus establishes itself in freight train like fashion to absorbing rhythms galore and the unyielding animation to match, not to mention random guitar facets of a modern nature. Making a guest appearance is Bloodgood vocalist Les Carlsen, whose raspy style meshes well with the songs pointed form.
Chaotic Resemblance delivers a fine a ballad you could ask in “Jesus Is King”. Rather than a hard rock ballad, it is classic keyboard and acoustic based instead with a marked bass presence and all the worshipful vestiges you could ask. Of note is how McConnell’s grainy vocal qualities work well within the affable frame.
Whereas Get The Hell Out revealed some unevenness over its final half, Covenant maintains the consistency to end, beginning with its modern metal infused title track. Opening to a few brief seconds of acoustic guitar and keyboards, “Covenant” builds to a crescendo of eruptive riffs that power its distance, with the coercive show only giving way to the occasional cameo acoustic guitar appearance. Periodic screams make their presence felt as well but not to the point of overbearing.
“Aliens And Strangers” resides upon an all out metal basis. The clashing symbols to start give way to lambasting guitars, with verse sections that ensue rooted in the trenchant as low-end digs and bits and catchy refrain upping impetus to even further levels. The blazing lead guitar might be spot on but wish it had extended by several additional seconds.
Another representation of choice Chaotic Resemblance songwriting, “The Mark” buffets and pummels its length in similar aggressive fashion but also does not forsake hooks, as refrain gives prominence to every bit the draw you in at once appeal. Give group credit for its inclining to combine the best aspects of the combative and engaging.
Albums least remarkable track might be “Sounds Of The Saints”, which while far from band and not filler, I hesitate to rate with the Covenant best either. It is a shorter (three and a half minute) blast of hard rock to feature a propelling low end - with plenty of dexterous timekeeping - and modern twinges to guitars. Melody is present but not to quite the same extent as some here.
Credit Oz Fox for a creditable production job that comes across raw and without a great deal of polish but brings out the groups exuberant energy in the process. Guitars aptly dominate the mix while allowing room for bass and drums to separate in the manner they should.
Packaging, on the other hand, leaves somewhat desired. Am I out of line to suggest that the fluffy-cloud tinged with turquoise cover art does not lend itself to the style of music at hand? I cannot help but think something a bit more aggressive would be better fitting. Likewise, the singled sided ‘J’ card without lyrics or liner notes does not get the job done. I give Chaotic Resemblance the same advice I would to any independent band struggle in the area of packaging, which is to contact Scott Waters at No Life Til Metal to handle the CD insert layout and design for any album you release in the future.
I hope I have not been unduly harsh in my critique of Covenant in that to be fair it presents with some fantastic material I find that easily stands the test of repeat play. Fact is Chaotic Resemblance writes real good songs! I also like how the group has branched out musically in lending some random modern guitar tones along with including a worshipful ballad as opposed to a hard rock one. The Oz Fox production remains top notch as well. That being said, some misgivings in terms of packaging along with inconsistent guitar soloing represent the only constructive commentary of note. Overall, if a fan of Chaotic Resemblance or its unique brand of ‘new school modern hair metal’ then Covenant by no means will disappoint.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Only The Start” (1:13), “Chaotic Nights” (4:06), “Tongues Of Fire” (4:14), “Virtual Reality” (3:39), “Riot Anthem” (3:43), “Out Loud” (3:34), “Jesus Is King” (4:47), “Covenant” (3:31), “Aliens And Strangers” (3:58), “The Mark” (4:05), “Sounds Of The Saints” (3:18)
Musicians
Travis McConnell - Lead Vocals & Bass
LA Ellis - Guitars
John Walter Jakway III - Drums
Additional Musicians
Les Carlsen - Lead Vocals
Donnie Sixx - Bass
