Straight out of the mountains of Canberra comes an industrial revolution. Chud with their 2018 offering Dead. This release is more like a recorded chainsaw with a phaser over the top than a metal album. It is an uncompromising cacophony of amassed noises that assault the senses in the best of ways.
If you’re looking for that new ‘metal’ type of sound, look for it further. Chud is a mixture of industrial metal and sludgy drone metal. What is truly inspiring about them is the fact that they mix these elements really freaking well. It’s hard to find a band that likes to drone along but is still tight. The guitars have a massive droning consistency to them which is 2018/2019 seems to be the ‘in’ thing. The voice sounds like it was recorded through a megaphone, which is an awesome addition but might put non-conformists off-kilter. There are some odd sounds throughout the mix; some buzzing, some clicking, essentially what you would expect from industrial metal, but it’s done with careful consideration. While the tracks are short and might seem simplistic at first, there is a distinct feeling that, once you listen to it a little more closely, they have really sweated on this and tried to come up with something really unique.
A polished release that seeks to add to the wonderful tapestry that is ‘metal’; it will be interesting to see how they further perfect their work in future releases. Suitable for those who enjoy the sound of a buzz saw in close proximity.
Release Year: 2019
Label: self-released
Category: Album
Country: Australia
Reviewed by Liam Frost-Camilleri
