chariots/coaw/gallows reviews

[holyellen]

http://www.rockfeedback.com/article.asp?nObjectID=4287

Chariots – The Inner Life EP (Holy Roar)

Despite a misreading leading to initial fears that ‘The Inner Life’ would be the work of noisy metal types The Chariot, it was a pleasant turn up for the books when a swirling guitar track resonated from left to right for a few minutes, and the band Chariots cropped up instead. After two minutes, there was even finally some kind of vocal, albeit a slightly disappointing unintelligible scream.

By track two it seems clear that my delight at it not being noisy metal types was a little misguided. Given, it’s not noisy metal, but ‘Last Judgement’ is certainly noisy. Sitting somewhere in-between indie and metal, it’s all just a bit of a muddle. Yes, it a well played muddle, but the entirely screamed vocal line just doesn’t seem to suit the music that ensues behind it.

The third track of the EP follows a similar path to that of the second, that being one of a decent guitar composition with needlessly over-egged vocals. Unfortunately, it’s a trend that continues all the way up to the fourth track, before the finale arrives to deliver seven minutes of fine instrumentation (albeit dogged by, yes, unnecessary bellowing and woolly production).

It isn’t hard to pick the positives out of ‘The Inner Life’ EP. It’s just a proper pity that those parts are covered up by poor production, and vocals which just don’t sit one bit.

2/5

http://www.montagpress.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1850&Itemid=40

By the time you read this the chance to see Watford noise mob Chariots in the dissonant flesh will have long since passed, this final recording reaches all of the spots that 2004’s ‘Daybreak’ didn’t quite make and thus their departure is rendered all the more tragic as a consequence. And that with this release that Holy Roar just about shakes off their image of beard-fondling inaccessibility only makes the tragedy doubly so.

‘The Inner Life’ is a delicate mix of fragrant Converge-aping heavy-duty spazz and more delicate, noise-fuelled passages that show off the band’s restraint and musicianship both, conspire to make this one record that will stand up for a considerable amount of time. At the absolute least Chariots have one record that years from now, regardless of what dizzying heights of technical ability or crippling lows of disillusionment and cynicism, they’ll still be able to take no small measure of pride in.

http://www.subba-cultcha.com/singles_mar07.php

CHARIOTS - THE INNER LIFE - HOLY ROAR RECORDS
Fuck yes, this is what I’m talking about, obscenely heavy, sludge imbued screamo - with the speed of the melvins at their sludgiest, and the horrific screams of a thousand souls being led to their untimely demise - thankfully on a more suitable label then BSM, this deserves repeated listens, let the evilness within!


http://www.rockmidgets.com/releases.php?&id=1855

There is a deep well of inspiration that remains criminally untapped. It flows from the early 90s. It flows from across the pond. And it flows from bands like Jeromes Dream, City Of Caterpillar, Portrait and Pg.99. It is the screaming, thrashing, dark and fierce sound of emo-violence. Here in the UK no one has truly been able to match the fiery rage of that sound like Chariots. A shame then that 'The Inner Life' is the last you'll hear of them.

Yes, this band is over. But that hasn't stopped them twitching back to life for one final flourish before the coffin is sealed. And from start to finish 'The Inner Life' encapsulates the frustration and boiling annoyance of years spent toiling on the road for little reward. And explodes with all the free reign fury and fuse-finishing glory of a band with nothing left to lose. 'Last Judgement' slithers around like some awful nightmare screamed out in a foreign language, 'Albany' revels in this band's use of light and shade, brawn and brains and the title track mulches all the experimental and inventive genre names you care to mention into a dark and powerful six-minute closer.

Whether or not the Chariots' output will be rediscovered, re-evaluated and rejoiced upon in future years in unquestionable, this stuff is surely guaranteed to be declared a national treasure eventually, but for now, cue the end credits.
Rating: 4/5