Review by Richie Pirone
Chasing Victory is, err was, a pop-hard-alterna-core (yes, I made that genre up) band out of Georgia although it’d be very easy to place the band out of Massachusetts, New Jersey, or Orange County if you’re familiar with any of genres the band pulls from. According to a post on the band’s Myspace they called it quits about two months ago which leads me to wonder why their label was still spending money sending out promo CD’s but that’s another issue for another day.
Fiends opens with promise in the song “Chemicals” that has received some radio play around the country. The riff that the song is based around is reminiscent of Core-era Stone Temple Pilots only heavier. The vocals pull from hard core influences but do not over do the “Cookie Monster” sound. The album’s title track has a chorus that reminds me of Paramore’s “Misery Business” which isn’t an insult by any means considering that is one catchy song even if I’m not a big Paramore fan.
“Queens” is another song that has received some radio play as well but this song is not nearly as mainstream sounding as “Chemicals.” “Queens” certainly has that alternative sound as it features a driving up tempo beat that is common with pop punk bands. It also has layered backing vocals ala Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco. “Janus” is a somewhat spacey song that is based around an octave run and has some Jeff Buckley influenced vocals but with more of a rock twist. This is probably one of the more original songs on this album as it doesn’t emulate any one genre(s) but just sounds like the band picked up their instruments and started writing.
“Zombies” is a real rocker with a heavy riff complimented that is nicely complimented by front-man Adam’s vocals. “Kings” is another rocker that sounds like a cross between Rocket From The Crypt (minus the horns) and Danko Jones in places. The song is much more polished than either of those bands ever have been and has more of a definitive hook but simply conjuring up memories of either of those bands earns Chasing Victory props in my book.