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Turbulent would seem to be the appropriate term in describing the debut CD from Coal Chamber - an LA based hardcore band that established its reputation at renowned Hollywood clubs, The Whiskey A Go-Go and The Roxy.
With a generous mix of hip hop, punk, and goth, Coal Chamber’s CD is heavily laced with thick muddy bar chords one needs hip boots to get through. Their sound evokes a demonic quality as their live performances have been called, “ritual possession, or exorcism.”
The lead track Loco features dirty, low down riffs from lead guitarist, Meegs, and schizophrenic vocals from vocalist Dez. The album is drawn from personal experiences as Dez explains, “The day I started recording my vocals, my wife left me. She left me in the driveway of my home, taking everything I fuckin’ owned.” This sentiment comes through full force in the chorus of the track Unspoiled with Dez ranting, “Do I seem alright to you? Do I look fine? Do I seem alright to you? Do I look fine?”
Unfortunately, ambiguity sets in when one trys to discern one song from the next. Tuned-down riffs played through maximum distortions becomes tedious after a couple of tracks. The leads, far and few between, seemed only a mere accompaniment to the power chords. Maricon Puto reminded me of a watered down version of Revolution #9 by The Beatles.
If your cup of tea is body piercing or slam dancing, you’ll enjoy Coal Chamber. I think however the group might want to invest in a music theory course before their next release.
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