07/08/2025
-LOCAL REVIEW-
BAND Chaos Doctrine
TITLE: The Chaos Chronicles: VOL II AND VOLL III
Devographic Music Agency
Turbulent times call for turbulent music so it is fitting that South African institution CHAOS DOCTRINE, known globally for their gargantuan confluence Of Thrash, Death and Industrial Metal are about to unleash a corrosive collection of recalibrated songs upon the unsuspecting public come the conclusion of August.
‘THE CHAOS CHRONICLES VOL. II AND III’ consists of two pieces of the same punishing puzzle. VOLUME 2 of this auricular labyrinth is composed of revamped, remixed and rewired versions of classic Chaos Doctrine tracks whilst VOLUME 3 is a collection of unreleased demo tracks and more contemporary fare that exist in the sweltering cauldron that is the CHAOS DOCTRINE catalogue to date.
Much like ‘Remanufacture’ by Fear Factory or even certain facets of The Berzerker’s back catalogue ‘VOL II’ is a modified collection of CHAOS DOCTRINE tracks that give an alternate impression of their back catalogue through a meatgrinder of warped circuitry and intricately woven sonic wildfire.
Consisting of eleven electrifying remixes, ‘VOL II’ begins with the bludgeoning, post apocalyptic vitriol of 'Blood Serpent God (Xibalba Remix)’ which features the brain shattering shredding of Ryno Theron of Truth Decayed fame on lead guitar. This tumultuous work of thudding beats and thundering Industrial infused, electro-scorched smolder ignites the proceedings with as much subtlety as an incineration chamber.
With its Death-Thrash-Industrial intact, albeit with added orchestration, sinister melodies and odorous layers of dirge like vocals, ‘Trial (Hamelin Remix)’ which features the talents of Buchanan Marais of Nachtegal who contributes vocals, flute and pan flute to this revamped beast which is all the more menacing and atmospheric for the added instrumentation and vocals. A truly malignant piece of punishing sonic art of the highest caliber.
Track three is the remaster of the Russian version of ‘Father Grigori’ which retains its dark atmosphere and tensile textures as it surges ahead with insidious intent. The added layers of haunting vocals and orchestration as well as the gargantuan rhythms that stitch this behemoth of a track together are the stuff of your most murderous nightmares. With Demether Grail leading the proceedings with his gravelly vocals, lyrics in Russian, ‘Father Grigori’, proves to be as monumental as ever.
Next up are a trident of re-worked CHAOS DOCTRINE classics, namely a remaster of ‘Cult MMXXl’, a layered confluence of strings and scorching Industrial Thrash where dual leads collide with unmitigated fury, ‘Black Friday Bedlam (Inga Svenska Gudar Remix)’, a Thrash-Death-Industrial wrecking ball of bludgeoning belligerence with added electronics, as menacing and captivating as ever alongside the 2024 remaster of ‘Martyr’ which features Laura Cayzer of Capgras Delusion fame. This remaster titled the ‘Jeanne D’Arc Version’ is as melancholic as it is mighty and sorrowful where we are treated to a tapestry of vocals that pull at the heartstrings with woeful effectiveness.
‘Heretic (Amenhotep IV Remix)’ is a gritty, Industrial infused piece of pummeling, filth riddled sonic art where distorted kick drums, convulsing rhythms and ravaged vocals collide with crushing weight. This dark Dub meets Dark Ambient/ Death Industrial is an incineration chamber of note.
‘The Rite (Devil Divas And Harps Mix)’ is a southern fried piece of groove infused bluster featuring Bronwyn Bing formerly of Apocalypse Later on lead vocals and Craig McKinnon on harmonica traverses a journey of slow burning auricular damage which becomes a propulsive, meteoric song come its latter half. Captivating to say the least.
Track nine and ten both live versions of ‘One Of My Bad Days' and “Lifting The Veil’, tracks rooted in the awe-inspiring ‘Bellum’ album, are electric and effervescent, bone shattering slices of nuclear warfare that are as explosive as they are immaculately executed.
Bringing VOL 2 to a close is an instrumental version of ‘Christ Church Horizon (Ecclesia Non Grata Remix)’ that contains all the menace and malevolence of its predecessor albeit without vocals.
VOL 3 begins with a newer addition to the CHAOS DOCTRINE canon, ‘ The Rite Verse 2’ which begins with some mangled bluegrass guitars, segues into some menacing orchestration and progresses into a mid-tempo brain basher that is borne at the crossroads where souls are sold for the gift of making music. This bone crunching song is both vitriolic and visceral in its impact.
‘Bayonet (2024 Demo Mix)’ is a blistering 210 BPM Thrash onslaught that takes no prisoners in its quest to trample everything in its immediate radius to dust. Like Slayer meets Ministry on steroids, this relentless track will leave you pulverized and gasping for breath! Yet to be released, this ravenous landmine of sonic warfare will cause the streets to run with blood.
Hidden Hand (2024 Demo)’ is yet another unreleased gem that is as jarring as it is catchy. A veritable maelstrom of double kick battery, guttural vocals, chugging guitars that settle into a catchy melodious, groove inflected riff, ‘Hidden Hand (2024 Demo)’ is a devastating work of unbridled ferocity that shows CHAOS DOCTRINE at the height of their hellish powers!
Part of this epic two volume masterwork is a collection of demos from the band’s first two albums. Most notably ‘Black Friday Bedlam (2015)’, ‘Blood Serpent God (2018 Demo)’, ‘FTG (2015 Demo)’, ‘Harlot (2016 Demo)’, ‘My Demise (2014 Demo)’, and ‘The Genocide Number (2014 Demo)’ which act as a great window in time and reference point for the mastery the mighty CHAOS DOCTRINE have been able to assert over their iconoclastic hybrid of Extreme Music.
Physical copies of VOL 2 will contain ‘The SA-bbath Doctrine Chapter III: SA Tribute Mix’ whilst physical copies of VOL 3 will contain ‘Doctrine covers of ‘Enjoy The Silence’ by Depeche Mode and ‘Beds Are Burning’ by Midnight Oil.
Keep your eyes and your ears open for you do not want to miss out on this two volume set, a set that will cause your synapses to crackle whilst you are rendered subordinate by the scorching, nuanced and evocative music CHAOS DOCTRINE execute with such unbridled efficiency. Come the 29th of August all will be devoured by this deliciously devastating set of volumes.
-Asher Locketz-
France the Planet
