Normally I prefer not to do reviews, I mean, to criticize the music is not my stuff, if not clearly based on my personal musical tastes. But then again, that’s what music is all about at its best, to discover new genres and to find out that the Metal-world is incredibly wide and multicolored…  I point out right away that my musical background is in hardcore metal, but I’m always looking for new vibes and sensations! My review will not be technically detailed, but simply my personal reflections about this EP.

Italian thrash/melodic death metal band AMORPHEAD was formed in 2007. The official band’s line-up is formed by 5 members: Emiliano Iozzo (voice), Alessandro Morrone (guitar), Antonio Mazza (guitar), Giorgio Faini (drums) and Matteo Gregoraci (bass). In January 2009 the band begins the drafting of it’s first EP, which sees the light of the day on 26th July of the same year under the name of “Psychotic”. In November 2010, Amorphead started composing new pieces, in August of the same year they entered the Sound Farm Studio (GLK’s – Glacial Fear) and cut the successor of Psychotic: “Chaos Expression”. In the mean time the band signed for the English label Casket Music, Chaos Expression was released in early 2011.

Chaos Expression Track listing:
Scream Inside
Depth
5:22
Holes
Chaos Expression

I literally enter to Chaos Expression following the footsteps through an open door …the first track “Scream Inside” starts … I’ve always liked the growl and the snatching and strong guitar riffs, even better if they’re flavored with dark-and-strong sounds that leaves your breath suspended, I’ve always liked the bass that gives a deep foundation onto the songs, the drum parts that take away the remaining doubts about the band, if it’s serious or not… so while listening to Scream Inside, at least the initial impact pleases me, covering partly the basic pillars that I appreciate. The sudden final staging is good, even if it repeats then, more or less, on each song… maybe too repetitive, but effective.

The second track “Depth” starts with heavy growl, but a cool mid-bridge, with a hoarse whispering vocal part, gives me time to breath for a moment, before proceeding to the end. The third instrumental track “5:22” slows down the average speed of the EP, nice and easy, and it gives me a short instant to reflect and chew the first 2 songs. “Holes” introduces me with a short bass solo with guitar riffs, already heard on the earlier tracks. IF I should pick up one song from this EP which provokes me less kicks, maybe it’s this one. However a plus goes to the riffs and many pace changes… so after all also “Holes” deserves for sure another play.

The last song, the title track “Chaos Expression” is promising me good since the first beats. Awesome strong riffs, time to time with some dark touch and cool bridges, and yes, I do like Emiliano‘s growl, no doupt about that! An interesting surprise comes in the mid-song, with water drops and echoes, radio channels and what else… but it gives me an idea that the real Chaos is about to start… and so be it! Not without a reason, Chaos Expression has been chosen as a title track, it’s like an icing on the cake. However I still would have wanted to hear one or two more songs to get a clear idea, but this’s how “Chaos Expression” ends… by closing the door with the same footsteps going away, somewhere very far…

Conclutions… My quick dive into Chaos Expression wasn’t bad at all. For sure the EP donates good moments for Thrash/Melodic death metal lovers, but not only. Sometimes it pays to listen to different genres with an open-mind and without any prejudice. I won’t give any final rate here, it wouldn’t tell much. Just listen to yourselves.

Reviewed by Tarja Virmakari

For more information, visit: http://www.myspace.com/amorphead