Artist: Chaos Insignia
Country: Romania
Label: Self-Released
Formats: Digital EP
Year: 2025
Probably prompted by the current popularity of the virtuous Antichrist Siege Machine, who have a song titled Chaos Insignia, these Romanians enter the field of chaotic Black/Death Metal with a clear War/Bestial flavour. The three gentlemen in charge (excluding the hired gun on drums) can normally be found with their common names chosen by their mamas in bands like Necrotum and Putred, but here, for the occasion have rebranded themselves as Brain Scorcher, Goat Ravisher and Insinerator. It’s not all about the music folks!
Although I liked Necrotum’s somewhat older material, I completely lost interest in the band along the way and Putred never interested me at all, so I was a bit sceptic and hesitant to hit play for this EP. Both Necrotum and Putred do not exactly excel in either song writing, ingenuity or overall memorability. But, admittedly, ‘Mechatronic Carnation’ is a decent affair and a solid start for the band.
In just over 20 minutes the Romanians offer a very Death Metal-based sort of Black/Death Metal amalgam, there are clearly enough elements taken out of the tried-and-tested Bestial/War Metal formulas, like the rather wild and chaotic rhythms, but it is abundantly clear that these guys come from a predominantly Death Metal background. The first four songs are pretty straightforward Black/Death Metal without any real highlights in the sense of something that really catches the ear. Yet, it is decently enough executed to hold the attention. The last track, however, is clearly the band’s best work. With the addition of a bit more atmospheric details in the form of keyboards and whispering vocals, this song allows the music to get a bit more dynamic and overall captivating.
Comparing that last track with the way this EP opens, wasting no time going into relentless pummelling and a hysteric whirlwind of vocals and frantic riffs/leads, makes clear that the band is consciously playing with dynamics. The differences in intensity, pace and overall musicality are rather large and makes ‘Mechatronic Carnation’ an interesting piece of work. The very dominating and “on top” Death Metal vocals, at times reminding me of Altar (The Netherlands), takes a little time to get used to, perhaps a more balanced mix could have given the music a little more punch. But, as said, ‘Mechatronic Carnation’ is a solid start for Chaos Insignia.
