EP Review: Chemical Storm – Digital Dementia (Self Released)

Six years after the release of their debut, Kent thrashers Chemical Storm awake from their slumber to bring us their brand new, self released EP, Digital Dementia.

A six year wait for new music is a long time to wait for any band, never mind just after a debut, but even more so when that debut was as well received as Doomed From Day One was. You would have been forgiven for assuming Chemical Storm were done, but while the beast may have been quiet, it definitely wasn’t dead and Chemical Storm has been awoken from it’s slumber to deliver 4 new tracks of old school thrash annihilation. Set for release on all streaming platforms on the 23rd of July 2024, ‘Digital Dementia’ is a call to arms for all that love classic thrash metal bringing raw, brutal, and to the point, thrash to fans worldwide.

Digital Dementia, serves as a scathing indictment of modern society’s obsession with mobile and electronic devices, delivering an all-out thrash assault that seeks to awaken the masses from their technological slumber. Drawing inspiration from the golden era of thrash, their music is a testament to the raw power and aggression that defines the genre. 

Chemical Storm are Liam ‘Big Lez’ Underdown on vocals, Dave Austin on lead guitar, Joe Davies on rhythm guitar, Tom ‘Pidge- Lane on bass and Kev ‘Kevlar’ Hudson on drums.

Digital Dementia was recorded and engineered by Graham Waller at Squarehead Studios and The Mix Cave. It was produced by Graham Waller and Chemical Storm.

Digital Dementia comes with 4 new tracks on it, getting underway with God Forbid. It takes very little time to understand their intent, which comes through instantly as you are blasted with raw thrash aggression. Big riffs and a flurry of drums kick things into gear quickly, making you want to get straight into the nearest pit. It’s quick, it’s raw and packs some serious rhythm and groove. Vocals are exactly what you expect from this style, clean but with edge and attitude. Lyrics are delivered at speed, matching the intensity of the music and I really like the actual lyrics themselves which are well crafted and intelligent.

The speed and aggression of the track doesn’t let up, not even when we fly into a big solo that has a really neat middle section where the melody really shines through. You have to feel for that drummer though – the man hasn’t stopped for a second yet. It’s one hell of a way to announce your return as a band and a strong way to start off Digital Dementia. That strength and intensity continues in to Shallow Hole, almost seamlessly as the riffs, the bass and the drums just keep coming at you. I imagine these guys are going to kill it live.

The vocals drop down in pitch a bit, and the tempo on the guitars drops just a touch to add even more groove but those drums, they don’t let up and sound powerful. Again the flow of vocals is really catchy too and it is almost impossible to not be headbanging along with the intense thrash Chemical Storm are delivering here. I love the solos too – it drops the pace, finally allowing the drummer a chance to rest, just for a second and really lays on the melody. That transitions seamlessly back into the riffs as the drummers break comes to an end and we get back to destroying the pit. This is great.

Blunt Force Drama comes next and brings an almost samba style of drumming to kicks things off. The bass joins in as the groove washes over you before the catchiest intro you might hear this year is completed by growing riffing and rhythmic drumming. That’s a banging intro and surefire way to grab the attention of any listener. The tempo is a little more relaxed here, really going deeper with threatening riffs and dark vocals instead of pure speed. It’s nice to also get that variety in tempo and intensity to keep things fresh. Lots of groove, plenty of melody and the aggression is still there in another song that showcases a band with a point to prove even if the last shouted line of “you f!*king bitch” adds an moment of amateurism that could have been dropped.

Chemical Storm close out their return with the title track, Digital Dementia and return us to their most intense, quick and aggressive side. Furious drumming and riffing kick things off in a pit destroying track. Still packing plenty of rhythm and groove, helped by the prominent bass, it’s fast and heavy but seriously catchy. Vocals are strong again, really spitting plenty of venom and power with a quick flow. I love the transition into a slower tempo with it’s rhythmic drumming and big riffing half way through – it just adds another moment of variety and freshness to the song, and the whole release.

Digital Dementia ends as it started, in a flurry of riffs and drums that will have you wanting to bang your head and get in a pit. Look, it’s thrash metal at the end of the day and nothing here is going to change the game, and that is a good thing. This isn’t anything more than a damn fine example of the genre where Chemical Storm deliver raw energy and powerful aggression in 4 tracks that fly by. You will bang your head and enjoy every moment of the grooving in your face metal on offer. It’s fast and furious, showcasing a talented band that, if they can capture this same essence in their live shows, should have no problem finding their place at the top of the UK scene and beyond.

You can presave Digital Dementia on Spotify at this link, or preorder from Chemical Storm on Bandcamp, here.

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