The Chariot - Wars and Rumors of Wars
Rating
RIYL
Norma JeanHeavy Heavy Low Low
The Number 12 Looks Like You
Release Date
05/05/2009
Label
Solid StateTracklist
1. Teach:2. Evolve:
3. Need:
4. Impress.
5. Never T
6. Giveth
7. Abandon:
8. Daggers
9. Oversea
10. Mrs. Montgomery Alabama iii.
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There is one thing that The Chariot are certainly good at, and that is making chaotic, brutal, and malicious… noise, lots and lots of ear-buzzing noise. Whether or not this is a good thing can be your decision, but with Wars and Rumors of Wars, the noise was what ruined many a good song. While basically picking up where The Fiancé left off, The Chariot only seemed to improve in the slightest with their latest release.
A good majority of the songs on here have large gaps of high distortion, random note plucking, and meaningless reverb & feedback. “Need” is a hard hitting track with a fast-paced punk sensibility that The Chariot are known for, but after one minute the song disappears into mindless feedback and ear-piercing distortion for 30 seconds until it finally returns to actual music. It is a quality that just makes The Chariot seem incredibly lazy and unimaginative. “Impress” follows a different method of lethargy. It only takes this track 40 seconds to turn into two notes being played over and over, making the song's main purpose being to simply fill in some time.
Then there is “Oversea” which is a 44 second track that accomplishes absolutely nothing in its short appearance on the album. What’s even more pointless about it is that it doesn’t even take up much time and was better off not even being made. It was as if they created the beginning of a song, became disinterested, and then just decided to stomp on their pedals and scratch their pick up and down their guitars.
On the other end of the spectrum, there is the six minute “Mrs. Montgomery Alabama iii.” With a questionable piano intro, in normal sound-blasting metalcore fashion the song rushes in as Josh Scogin screams at you, “Receive my fate.” It is a decent enough track with very heavy elements to it, and if the song had stopped around the 2:30 mark it would have been just fine, but it didn’t. They decided to bring it back and tarnish what was left of it with an annoying one note assault on the ears and finish it off with heavy distortion backed by a drum beat.
There are some shining moments on this record that should be given mention. “Teach” is a malicious opening track with Scogin screaming in your ear right off the bat. What this song does that many Chariot songs have not is build up into an epic breakdown. There is finally a climax to all of the rising action! This is an element that was evident in their first release, Everything is Alive, Everything is Breathing, Nothing is Dead, Nothing is Bleeding but was nowhere to be seen in The Fiance. Fully finished ideas can also be found in songs like “Never, I”, which contains the intensity needed to be seen in The Chariot, and it also includes a cool drum and whistle ending. With “Giveth” they actually have a chorus, or at least a recurring theme, in their song. That alone deserves a mention, but it is also a good song filled with a few build-ups to momentous, vicious breakdowns. It will be a delight for any metalcore listener.
It is probably true that if Scogin had never fronted Norma Jean, we would never know who he or even The Chariot are. They most likely would just be an afterthought as a band that tried to put their own abstract, avant-garde ideas into what most people would call just pure noise. It is unfortunate due to the amount of talent that this band possesses, but with lack of creativity, or maybe too much creativity, comes a lackluster release. The unimaginative thoughts can even be seen in the song titles, instead of the novels that the titles were on both their first release and the Unsung EP. All in all, another frustrating album composed by The Chariot.
--Andrew Beam
Comments
Minnesota
I reviewed both Everything is Alive and The Fiance back in the day, and after those two experiences and reading your review, I plan on staying as far way from this release and band as possible. God, they suck.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Coopersburg, PA
I keep wanting to like this band but I can't get into any of their albums. I heard the album stream last week and I'd say this review is spot on.
Kansas
ya I stopped trying after Everything is Alive
http://rateyourmusic.com/~benny06
Atascadero, CA
unfortunately hardcore died in 2006. someone send out the memo.
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Blue Reef Design Studios (Web Development)
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Dubuque
Deathwish Inc is still alive and well.
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Los Angeles
What happened in 2006 that caused hardcore to die? Hardcore for a huge number of people has been "dead" for years.
But yes, Deathwish Inc. still exists, thusly, hardcore still exists... for now.
Atascadero, CA
it became irrelevent in 2006, i dont know what happened but i watched it from the road.. was on tour with the chariot and the numbers they were drawing were slowly declining til in 2006 hardcore wasn't popular anymore. i guess thats what i mean, not the whole punks not dead shit i just mean people no longer care.
Decoymusic.com (CEO/Founder)
Blue Reef Design Studios (Web Development)
http://aarontroy.tumblr.com
West Haven, CT
I liked Everything is Breathing, Nothing is Dead, Nothing is Bleeding.
The Cityscape Burns Brighter By The Hour.
Somewhere in New York
Agreed, I loved that release and every time I saw them after they released it, I was in love with their performances. It's unfortunate to say but the line up changes killed this band, and their stubborness to change.
"If someone gives you a kazoo and toots around the house to MTV, they're not gonna fuck you." - David Cross
Lakewood, OH
Since when was The Chariot hardcore? And I enjoyed this album. Senseless noise is exciting to me.
http://www.last.fm/user/nicklovesohio
Lehigh Valley, PA
I was just going to ask that same question. I don't consider The Chariot hardcore, maybe metal/hardcore. Hardcore died when Verse broke up. haha. Aaron, I do agree with you that people don't give two shits anymore.
Green Brook, NJ
i liked this a lot. and i don't like this band.
Minnesota
You just like to say the opposite of what everyone else says!
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Somewhere in New York
I'm not going to lie, I don't know what the definition of hardcore is anymore... I feel like the lines have been blurred over the years. I have noticed though bands that are considered hardcore, no one cares for anymore. I think The Chariot even refers to themselves as metalcore, whatever the hell it all means anymore.
"If someone gives you a kazoo and toots around the house to MTV, they're not gonna fuck you." - David Cross
PA
I liked it pretty well. was a little disappointed with Oversea and Impress but thought it was good overall.
Also, I believe the Chariot considers themselves punk predominately.
A Spaceman.
Miami
Yeah, maybe for you. If you consider The Chariot hardcore, then it died sooner than later.
Formerly NeverMindMotherFrance