EP Review: Chemical Storm - Digital Dementia
Reviewed by Drew McCarthy
Rapid machine gun style riffing and drums that sound like the crack of thunder are brought together into one incredible aural assault on 'Digital Dementia'. The latest EP by British thrashers Chemical Storm, a release that not only pays homage to the Gods of thrash metal, namely Slayer and Exodus, but also as the title suggests serves as social commentary on the age in which we now exist.
After they released their debut EP 'Doomed From Day One' six years ago this month, Chemical Storm, from Kent seemed to drop off the face of the Earth. Although their time spent away does not seem to of been wasted, as even though this is only their second ever release, this is honestly miles better than some of the musical output that I have heard from their contemporaries.
'God Forbid' is a song that to my ears has a very Testament style vibe to it and a guitar solo that someone like Kerry King would be proud of. This kicks the EP off with a bang and whilst the lyrics may sound similar to what many thrash metal bands have spoken about in their songs in the past, if you read between the lines you will realise that what they are confronting in this opening song is the fact that some people today, treat social media almost like a new form of religion.
'Digital Dementia' finishes the same way that it began, the title track like the other songs on the EP is a take no prisoners thrash metal attack that also confronts us with a harsh dose of reality. It implores and tries to teach the listener that all the mindless scrolling and time wasted on social media is no substitute for face to face communication.
'Digital Dementia' is as thrash metal should be; raw, powerful and stuffed full of riffs. But what makes it really stand out is the fact that it also serves as a stark reminder of how people are seemingly losing touch with reality and take everything that they see or read about on the internet as the truth.
