Here is Chrome Division a heavy metal band from Norway that I previously had not heard of before.
Chrome Division began as a side project from one of Dark Lords of the Black Metal scene Shagrath (Dimmu Borgir) and Black Metal Musician Lex Icon (The Kovenant) who has since left the band while Shagrath still plays in the band. With Chrome Division Shagrath shows his different influences like AC/DC and Motorhead.
They have released 3 previous albums over the last 10 years and with their current line up which consists Athera (Susperia) on vocals, Damage (Gromth) on Lead Guitar, Shagrath (Dimmu Borgir) on Rhythm Guitar, Age Troite (Shot at dawn) on Bass, and Tony White (Old man’s Child) on Drums they have released the current album Infernal Rock Eternal which shows a real hard rock sound.
The album is one with a hard rock edge, no gimmicks, no fancy keyboards or orchestra’s just straight hard rock with balls which shows influence from bands such as Black Label Society and AC/DC. It starts off strong with an instrumental and then straight into “Endless Nights” a great standard rock song that will take you back in time to the 80s. This is the first album with singer Athera and he has a very good rock voice raspy and ballsy. The guitar is very good in this album with the use of wah-wah pedals and some gutsy soloing. With most hard rock albums the rhythm sections are very important and the boys do a good job keeping the rhythms hard, fluent, and tight perfect example of their rhythms is track 11 “You’re Dead Now” which is the most stand out track of the album; the main riff reminded me of Soundgarden’s song “Spoon Man”. Other stand-out tracks “Lady of perpetual sorrow” and “OL” – this track especially shows off their Motorhead influence.
Overall this album is definitely one for listening to while cruising in your car or motorbike.
It shows a different side to Shagrath which many people will find it hard to believe. I cannot compare this album to their previous ones as I have not heard them but this is a solid hard rock album that deserves to be taken seriously. I recommend this album to anyone who enjoys old-school hard rock.
Chrome Division: Facebook
Release Year: 2014
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Category: Album
Country: Norway
Reviewed by Brent Logan
