Chapter Of Hate – Bloodsoaked Decadence

Artist: Chapter Of Hate

Album Title: Bloodsoaked Decadence EP

Label: Independent Release

Date of Release: 24 March 2022

I stumbled across this EP whilst having an email clear-out recently and I’m pleased I did, because it offers a really nice blast of thrashy, groovy heavy metal with a death metal edge that will get the neck muscles moving pretty much from start to finish. The EP goes by the name of ‘Bloodsoaked Decadence’ and it’s brought to us by Norwegian band Chapter Of Hate.

There’s precious little information about them to be found on the Internet, or elsewhere, but I am able to discern that ‘Bloodsoaked Decadence’ is the second EP from Chapter Of Hate, following ‘In Memoriam’ released back in 2016. It really wouldn’t have mattered either way though because all you need to know is that the four tracks on this independently released EP are really rather entertaining.

It’s fair to say, mind you, that there is very little about Chapter Of Hate that’s new or original, but I don’t get the feeling that this is the aim of the band. They seem content with hitting hard with their own preferred style of heavy metal, and they deliver it with a level of professionalism that’s impressive, right down to the production which, to me, is pretty spot on. The guitars have a great chunky bite to them, but the solos that emerge are equally prominent. The drums are sharp, and the bass adds further muscle to the music.

The opening track is entitled ‘The Pressure’ and it rips from the speakers with a satisfying thrash attack, complete with strong riffs, a powerhouse rhythm section and some lead guitar embellishments for good measure. The vocals are nothing out of the ordinary, but they inhabit a nice mid-range and offer a decent bite and venom, somewhere between a shout and singing, as is the way with many thrash acts out there. The lead solos that emerge later on within this high-energy track are suitably fast and furious, whilst the slower grooves that dominate the chorus are really cool, and get me headbanging whether I want to or not.

After a strong start, we move on to ‘Savage’ which immediately displays a groovy Pantera-like swagger. The riffs are slightly slower and when the chorus hits, there’s a greater emphasis on catchy melody. There’s even a Machine Head-esque pinched harmonic or two within a monstrous groovy sectionor later in the piece, just to add something else to the mix, alongside the ubiquitous guitar solos.

The title track starts off quietly in a brooding fashion, but with a nice clean melody, before launching into another thrash-heavy onslaught. Again the pace isn’t the blistering kind that’s often the preserve of the thrash genre, Chapter Of Hate instead preferring to go for a solid, chunky battering. The chorus is another good one with a sing-along feel to it, whilst the solos are more reminiscent of the kind that Metallica have produced of late, with a vague bluesy edge.

The final track of the four is ‘Under A Melting Sun’ and it’s the longest single composition at five-and-a-half minutes. I feel like a bit of a parrot because we’re presented with yet another headbang-worthy thrash anthem, full of groove and muscle. It’s arguably also the most aggressive in terms of the vitriol that’s contained within, especially where the more spiteful vocals are concerned.

As I said earlier, ‘Bloodsoaked Decadence’ brings precious little to the table that’s new or original to them. However, to a certain extent, that doesn’t matter because I find lots to enjoy here from Chapter Of Hate. There’s something comforting and loveable about a band that just present you with huge, uncompromising riffs, lots of groove, and a no-nonsense attitude. Lace it with some melody here and there and what’s not to like. Proof once again that a band don’t have to reinvent the wheel in order to be enjoyed. Recommended.

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