New Band of the Week: Chaos Reigns

We’ve got a GigRadar first today as we name a band our New Band of the Week for the second time!

Back in 2019, we introduced you to London band Chaos Reigns. But now the band are back better than ever with a brand new lineup and a huge new single to showcase their deliciously frantic and menacing hardcore punk sound. With four new members on board, Chaos Reigns ooze unrelenting hardcore energy in a sound they summarise to us as “The Absolute Worst.”

The London band formed in 2017 through a shared desire to play in a hardcore band with the energy of the likes of Every Time I Die and The Dillinger Escape Plan. Bassist Billy Padmore remains the sole remaining member joined by Jason Heightman (vocals), Joe Griffin and Darryl Butcher (guitars) and Dave Morris (drums) – a makeover that we feel more than warranted re-naming them our New Band of the Week.

The new collective live by Billy’s promise: “After seeing several bands in the scene standing stationary onstage, it was my goal to make sure no one left our shows thinking we were boring.”

And on the sound they’ve honed, Billy adds: “We sound better than all of your favourite bands combined, unless Chaos Reigns is the only band you like, in which case we sound exactly like your favourite band.”

Our first taste of this is their new single James Dean, which was released last month. It opens up with some intense guitars supporting Jason’s lively vocals “I walk in like a new disease, Hair slicked back, James Dean energy My leathers tight, I’m ready for a bite We’re going out tonight.” That continues through a few verses, before big shouted vocals lead into a more melodic chorus of clean vocals “Oh down we go, To the great below, Where pleasure meets pain, And lovers ‘come whole again, Down we go.”

Cool stabbing guitars kick in and continue under the return of intense vocals “I’m back like the prophecy, Say a prayer and get to your knees, Rope binding, teeth grinding, Your heart rate keeps climbing.” That leads into wilder guitars, drums and vocals leading up to huge cries of “Rope binding, teeth grinding, Your heart rate, keeps climbing,” which gives way to a chorus and heavy guitars to conclude the track.

On the track, Billy told us: “It’s been great so far, people have mainly been commenting on the music video, but if it gets people checking us out, then we can’t complain! And for those who haven’t listened yet, they should be expecting a strongly worded letter for sleeping on it, that’s what.” Check it out in the excellent self-created video which parodies 80s power ballads with a few nods to “classic” early 00s videos here:

James Dean ends a four-year wait for new music thanks to the lineup changes. However, if you like their new track and want a little more then you won’t be disappointed, including the brilliantly-named single Big Beat Manifesto, which certainly delivers on its promise as discussed in our previous article, and their 2019 EP A Horrific Accident.

The Chaos Reigns sound draws key influences from the big three hardcore bands of the aforementioned Dillinger and Every Time I Die, as well as Converge. As Blilly explains: “I love how frantic all three of those bands are, yet still each have a unique sound. They can balance their craziness with more digestible sections, which really accentuates the chaotic parts and stops them becoming overwhelming to the listener. Similarly, Slipknot are a big influence too, even though we don’t particularly sound like them. Their approach to heavy songwriting still retains some pop sensibilities, like hooks and catchy riffs, knowing when to shift between heavy and lighter passages.”

And on what inspires them to write music, Billy continues: “Instrumentally, it’s mainly the big names in chaotic hardcore, but every now and then some slight outside influence will come in. I was watching the film Cold In July, which has a synthy score, and one piece had a really interesting rhythm, which I reworked into one of our riffs.”

And Jason adds: “A lot of my lyrical themes or topics just tend to come from my general experience of life. I wrote the lyrics to James Dean after a breakup, I was feeling numb and self-loathing, and just filled that void with casual romances, one night stands and going to sex parties.”

Chaos Reigns are now set on gigging as much as possible to get their music out to as many people as possible. They also have a load of songs that are staples of their live set that haven’t been recorded so they’re looking to get those into the studio. And, as Jason tells us, any promoters “looking for a chaotic hardcore band to ruin their night” can get in touch.

And Billy adds: “Listen to our music, come see our shows, and if you like us, buy a shirt. If you don’t like us, buy two shirts, for having such ridiculous views.”

You can follow Chaos Reigns on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, and check out their music on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music and YouTube.