Review by Rachel Jablonski
The holiday season having just passed, it may not be too hard to imagine: 22 cousins, 12 aunts and uncles, 7 days of vacation with these people, 3 siblings, 2 parents, 1 grandma, and a decorated tree. It is often, as they say, full blown chaos at the Jablonski establishment during the holidays. Cooped up together for a good amount of time, the end of the week often results in massive frustration. But the fast, angry, and relentless sound of New York hardcore Full Blown Chaos serves as a soundtrack for such disconcerted feelings in two to three minute song bursts. The album title, Within the Grasp of Titans, hints at the attempted rise to power of a family of large primordial gods in Greek mythology, the Titans, who opposed the Olympian gods. Those pagan Greeks sure understood the concept of family squabbles even without being cooped up in the house for the birthday of baby Jesus. Power struggles in mind, the aggressive battle cries in the form of heavy growls, reminiscent of Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed fame, fill the album.
Typical of hardcore, the vocal ruggedness persists throughout the album. Vocals are particularly accentuated in tracks like, “Chopping Block,” as they synch with the rhythmic guitars and create an atmosphere for head banging bliss. Quick in pace, the consistent heavy guitars and double bass show promise for an entertaining live experience. But, translated on disc, the similarities between each unyielding track may become redundant for listeners.
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