Chemical Storm
Title: Digital Dementia
Label: Independent
Release Date: 23/07/2024
After six years of silence, they emerge from the shadows, battle-worn and hungry. Their debut EP, “Doomed From Day One,” left its mark, but now they’re back with a vengeance. Imagine the earth trembling as they awaken—a storm brewing in the heart of Kent, ready to unleash chaos.
Old-school thrash metal with a 2024 twist awaits. The kind that hits you like a freight train, leaving your neck sore from headbanging. These guys aren’t here to play nice; they’re here to remind us why we fell in love with this genre of music in the first place.
Opening with the mighty "God Forbid" echoing ur collective fears, this is brutal and uncompromising and has already won many accolades from fans and the media on its recent release. Pixels replace souls as we dive into the abyss of "Shallow Hole" A thrasher's delirium ensues as it rips into your head, and has a kick about, battering you senseless. The band dynamic and exemplary skills will have pits exploding and bodies battered and bruised
"Blunt Force Trauma" and the EP title song "Digital Dementia show the guys have been observing our addiction—the incessant scrolling, the mind-numbing consumption of screens. a scathing indictment wrapped in distortion and fury. These guys aren't just content with mindless shredding. Their lyrics cut deep—they’re a statement of intent. Anger pulses through their veins, directed at this screwed-up modern world we call home. They’re the antidote to digital numbness, the lightning rod for our collective frustration.
When Chemical Storm hits the stage, no venue remains unshaken. And as they rage against the machine, remember: Sometimes Thrash Metal isn’t just an escape; it’s a battle cry!
Review: Seb Di Gatto Score:5/5
Reviewed 19/07/24
Tracklisting:
1. God Forbid
2. Shallow Hole
3. Blunt Force Trauma
4. Digital Dementia
teepublic.com/user/chemical-stormv
Members
Vocals – Liam ‘Big Lez’ Underdown
Lead Guitars – Dave Austin
Rhythm Guitars – Joe Davies
Bass – Tom ‘Pidge- Lane
Drums (Live) – Ben Scott
Drums (Digital Dementia) – Lukas Goodchild
Interview 17/0/24
MM: Love the bands name. Its a proper thrash name by a killer new breed of thrash machine on the block namely your selves tell us a brief history of your band and inspirations and influences
The band used to look very different, way back in 2013. It started out as a doom/deathcore band. I was actually the vocalist and joined an already established lineup, that included Joe (guitar), Tom (Bass) and Kevin (Drums). We did a few gigs and released a record. The funny thing was, the rest of the guys had no idea I could play guitar, and one rehearsal when we were on a break, I asked if I could have a go on one of the guitars and started ripping some Slayer. The guys all gave me this shocked, confused stare before Kevin jumped on the drums and we jammed along to songs like Angel of Death, Master of Puppets etc and it kind of went from there. We realised we could play thrash much better than we could play anything else, plus it was a hell of a lot more fun… so we focused our energy on a rebrand, and the rest is history.
MM: What have the reviews been like so far from fans and media to your recently released song "God Forbid"
The response to God Forbid has been unreal. We’ve all been playing in bands for years and have had some level of success on a local, underground level. But we’ve never seen viewer counts and follower numbers rise like we have in such a short space of time. It’s very humbling to receive messages from people all over the world from Japan to Brazil to good old Blighty, to tell you they’ve fallen in love with your music. To have people pay money, for something you’ve created is something we don’t take lightly, and we are grateful beyond words. And we are just getting started!
MM: The EP drops soon how anxious are you? or just totally dying for its release
I have learned after 22 years of playing music that once you put it out there, its in the hands of the gods. I don’t tend to put too much thought into how it’s going to be received, as history has taught me that can lead to despondency and disappointment. And you can become hyper focussed on any negative comments instead of rejoicing in the positives however small. Of course, you’ll always have the hope that people will dig it, and will want to invest in you, buy the music, buy a t-shirt, come to a show and be part of the community you’re trying to build. Any musician will tell you, youre always chasing. But you can’t force it. So, you conquer that anxiety by making music for yourself first and foremost and find the satisfaction in the creative process and enjoy having that outlet to express yourself. If anyone wants to join us for the ride, then we welcome them with open arms!
MM:How hard is it to get the media attention you so rightly deserve
Of course, the game has changed since I started my first band 22 years ago. You could play a different venue every weekend of the month, and that would be just in your own hometown. We were spoiled for choice, and you could just get out there, melt some faces and let the music do the talking, and word would spread across the towns.
But as the landscape evolves, in terms of getting your music out there, it feels like it’s never been easier. Within a week of dropping our video, we have gained fans in Europe, the USA, Japan and Australia. Something that was a pipe dream over 20 years ago.
Metal heads in particular, speaking for myself also, have always let their eyes decide if they will check out a band out or not. Much like the old days where you used to go to the record store and pickup an album based on the awesome album art, or the triple brutal logo… without even hearing one note. It’s still exactly the same, except now instead of a CD rack, it’s a list of thumbnails. So, you need to let people know exactly what you are before they’ve even heard you. So those strategies are still the same, and thankfully people are clicking the links, digging the music, racking up the viewer counts which in turn has actually have us be the one contacted by media outlets. Which in itself, is incredible and we are extremely grateful.
MM: Plans festival and tour wise for the remainder of the year
At the moment, we have only a handful of local shows planned for this year. But we are working behind the scenes with our very good friends at UK Thrashers to lay the groundwork and set ourselves up for a busy 2025!
MM: What can we expect from you guys live
We pride ourselves on being tighter than a maggot’s ear live, because that is the core of where it all begins, with a riff, in a rehearsal room. It’s no good putting out a polished product if you can’t replicate, or even play it better live as a band. It’s one of the reasons Digital Dementia was recorded with real amps, no triggers, no samples… What you hear on the record will be what you get live, and then some!
MM:Who would be the ultimate band to go on tour with
For us, it would have been one of the kings of old, Pantera or Slayer. We are all disciples of the church of Slayer, and lifelong fans of the Cowboys from Hell. But in terms of who is around today we would love to turn a stage to sawdust with the likes of Malevolence or Power Trip.
MM: First album u ever owned
AC/DC – If You Want Blood, You’ve Got It.
Angus was my first ever guitar hero. And if you go back and listen to that album, as well as check out the live video, Let there be rock, live in Paris… that boy used to shred!
MM: What’s your idea of heaven
Leaving our organic bodies behind, and travelling the cosmos as an ethereal being, with a different level of instinct, consciousness and concept of time to witness the wonderous mechanics of the universe that are beyond human sight and understanding.
MM: Now Hell
Immortality. Not dying. The value of life is found in being aware of its inevitable finality. If nothing died, it would hold no value, and humanity is already clinging to its value by the skin of its teeth.
Imagine being stranded on Earth for eternity, having to go to that s**t job and work for that total w*****r boss for the next thousand years. Wouldn’t that be just about be the worst fate imaginable?
MM: Tell us why we should check out CHEMICAL STORM
We don’t claim to be something we’re not… we know we aren’t doing anything different, and we certainly aren’t laying claim to be contributing to theevolution of metal. But what we are aiming to achieve, is to keep the fire of a genre we love burning for as long as possible. To honour the greats that came before us, and if we are lucky, leave our little mark somewhere on its history. As metal evolves, and new sub-genres continue to emerge, with the level of talent and musicianship reaching stratospheric heights, we will remain at our post, vanguards of old school thrash metal. And we welcome anyone who wants to join us in our mission!
1.Bloodstock or Download
Bloodstock! All day. To be a part of the hallowed ground of Bloodstock would be a great honour. We would happily play behind the bins! After the jousting of course!
2.Vinyl or digital
Vinyl for the sound quality. Digital only for the car…because modern car manufacturers are doing away with the ability to play physical media!
3.Festival or small intimate gig
We do love a sweaty little club gig… But to be able to grace the stage of a big open-air festival (Like Bloodstock!) would be one to tick off the to-do list.
4.mosh pit or sheep dip :-P
Can’t beat a good old fashioned mosh pit in a venue the size of your nan’s kitchen!
5."Toxic Waltz" or "Angel of Death"
Exodus are a core influence on Chemical Storm, but it has to be Angel of Death! All hail SLAYER!!!
