note: misanthropaganda is so much more fun when you view it on your desktop or laptop. Your tablet is fine I guess, as is your phone, but for full enjoyment and understanding of the artist's (ha ha) vision, take my suggestion. It gives the posts a look that's a bit more reminiscent of an old 90's fanzine layout, which is the whole point of this bullshit blog...
Shallow Grave LP
Chain Cult are a three-piece crew from Athens, Greece that I thankfully discovered through the recommended videos on my Youtube app. I have found myself going back to this band's music quite often, as if compelled. They are part of a budding Greek Post-Punk scene, a scene recently revived from it's dormancy since it's salad days in the '80s. According to an article on diyconspiracy.net, there are currently 7 Greek bands that are genre-adjacent, not too shabby a number considering that the whole country is about the size of Florida! Also, take into consideration that currently there are only half as many bands in the style as that nation claimed in the '80s! I was aware of Greece having a strong Black Metal scene centered around a few very high quality bands, but I was oblivious to the fact that the small nation was such a hotbed for Post-Punk.
Chain Cult's particular take on the genre is refreshing. Blending the driving guitar sound of bands like Joy Division and early The Cure with a more rocking approach, Chain Cult really takes its unique shape from the anthemic, Hardcore-style shouted vocals of their singer. To date they have released a strong demo in 2018, a two song digital EP titled Isolated, and now they have dropped an LP titled Shallow Grave on the UK-based label La Vida Es Un Mus Records (hit up the links, you little pinks.)
demo 2018
I am particularly an admirer of their cover art, which up until now has featured imagery that is reminiscent of esoteric symbolism. To me it looks as if the artwork for all three of their releases were extracted right from freemasonry or O.T.O. books and it really adds a flare of mystery to this band. But imagery aside, Chain Cult can get by on the strength of their work, more specifically the hard work of the rhythm section. The bass lines throughout their work always standout, and not as a result of sound engineering. You can thank singer (just) Jason who gets the MVP for his double duty on bass guitar and vocals. Their music is full of passionate tone and off the top of my head I can't think of any bands that are completely similar in sound. The closest I can think of is maybe Second Empire Justice era Blitz ( you know, once they ditched all of the Skinhead stuff), only Chain Cult are more energetic and pack more of a punch than Blitz in the time period that I referenced. In fact, anything by Chain Cult can kick Blitz Second Empire Justice ass (ironic considering the latter's upstarts as a rugged Oi outfit.)
Jason, Chain Cult's multi-tasking singer, adds new dimension to what's been previously thought that vocals in bands such as these should sound like. Whereas typically you would get mopey crooning in an anemic baritone droning away mournfully ( like an Ian Curtis or a Peter Murphy, etc.), the lyrics are sung with a spirited and energetic delivery, hence the parallel made earlier to Hardcore vocal stylings (particularly in the vein of "posi" style bands.) All allusions to Joy Division and The Cure aside, If you dug early '90s Emo or D.C.-style bands then this is right in your wheelhouse. Here you go, if you want my coveted quote to print as a pretentious blurb, you got it:
"Passionate and energetic, yet morose, and full of longing!
There, print that on your front page"
Lord Frank. Misanthropaganda blog
Isolated EP
My only complaint is that much like about 99.9% of all bands nowadays, Chain Cult has only released digitally thus far, and if/when they do drop a tactile release, it'll probably be on fucking vinyl, so that's it for me, I'm out! I'd love for them to have my twenty bucks, because I am a fervent believer in paying a musician for his work (especially if it speaks to you); and I certainly hate having to listen to a band that I enjoy by streaming them on Youtube rather than owning a piece of their music and holding it in my hand, but I hate digital downloads and I am just not going to make the switch over to vinyl! What do people have against the CD nowadays? Fucking cassettes are back in style now as well as vinyl and you are going to tell me that the CD is the one that's going obsolete! Fuck Me! These cockamamie labels can't press a couple of CDs along with the fucking vinyl and the cassettes? I'm just saying! I love CDs, they're all I collect. I'm 2000 plus deep at this point, I can't just switch to fucking vinyl at this point! But I digress...
Potential groupies of Chain Cult please take note- these boys are Greek; so be warned that if you are planning on offering yourselves as a sacrifice to one of these mortal gods of music, know that they are going to shoot straight for your dookie-hole! It's a time honored Greek custom, and I think it may be rude to refuse. Be forewarned...
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