Review: Chant – 'Brave New Apocalypse'

CHANT
'Brave New Apocalypse'
WTII RECORDS

Chant, AKA Bradley Bills, sounds like one of those projects that has been around forever... despite only being on album number three. Chant's high profile North American and European tour supports with the likes of KMFDM and Die Krupps has seen Bills spread his tribal infused industrial sound far and wide and gained an international following in the process. Drawing on influences such as Nitzer Ebb, Nine Inch Nails, Killing Joke, and KMFDM there is something classic about his sonic formula that creates and instant familiarity.

The third album from Chant, 'Brave New Apocalypse' sees Bills further refine his rhythmic industrial manifesto and brings in a fresh take on the classic industrial rock style of the early 1990s. The result is something that would have been a top seller for Nothing or Wax Trax! Back in their heyday. But even in 2015 it sounds damn good.

Songs such as 'Brave New Apocalypse', 'Repeat Repeat', 'Dead Muse', 'bring Me The Head Of The Music Critic', 'All The Same', and 'song I Never Wanted' distil the best of the 90s with noisy loops, vitriolic vocals, grinding guitars, classic synth sounds and that ever present distinctive drum style to create some instant classics in their own right.

Despite the heavy debt to genre classics, the album doesn't make the mistake of sounding intentionally dated. The influences are plain for everyone to hear, but the production is clean and very much up to date for the kind of quality required in 2015.

'Brave New Apocalypse' is a great stylistic turn by Bills and should play well to new fans looking for something to rock out to, as well as older fans who will feel a pang of nostalgia for the days in which industrial rock gained some mainstream traction. It is full of potential club-friendly hits and will ensure a healthy live repertoire for future live shows. But most importantly it should continues to see Bradley Bills song writing talents strengthen and his position solidify as a name to be reckoned with.  

Posted in: brave new apocalypse,chant,music