Chrome Division
Doomsday Rock 'N Roll
7.5
Chrome Division is a band that creates 94 14 second songs that all blend together to become...nah, that's just copy protection. Haha. What fun we have here at Metal Review Dot Com. And I can see why the label is concerned about protecting this band. Imagine if Gene Simmons sang for a Motorhead tribute band. Can you even conceive of someone NOT wanting to steal something like that? I can't.
OK, fucking around aside, this is pretty much as I just described it. A singer with a serious Simmons complex fronting a band doing three chord late 70's straight up hard rock/heavy metal. So it makes me feel 12 again. 12 was not a positive time in my life, so I almost want to knock this record just for bringing back bad memories. Except that, as far as it goes, this is a pretty decent listen. It's just that if you have some Motorhead or Kiss or the fortylevenbillion Ramones rip off acts that have released this kind of record since 1980 I don't know what this particular album has to recommend it.
The good points are that this band plays the hard rock hard and rocking. it's not pretentious in the least. Riffs and licks ooze, funky old backbeat-heavy rhythms that never indulge in any of the modern trappings spill, and simple headbanging songwriting gush all over this disc. The solos are straight up Eddie Clarke and the tone is even old school, with maybe just a hint of Late eighties Social Distortion to keep things interesting. As a tribute to a simpler time it misses no trick.
The bad points are really just the total replication of existing themes. But that's a huge stumbling block for me, as I have been collecting and listening to this shit since...Motorhead. I would like to see these guys live, I bet, so I could shout and fight and thrash like a teenager again, but why do I need another record like this?
Bottom line: ask yourself how many Motorhead or Motorhead rip off albums you own. That number is inversely proportionate to how bad you need this one. If you have 1 then this record is a must. If you have ten this record is a fine addition. If you have thirty you don't need this. I have 800 million and seventy four. BUT BUT BUT. Quality recording, old school feel, good musicianship and no bullshit. We dwell in a scene built and maintained by people who love the tradition of metal as much as they crave the next big thing. We forgive a shitload of derivation. So if you ARE going to get a record like this, get this one.
Related
Chrome DivisionBooze, Broads & Beelzebub
8/19/2008