Review: “Committed To Flames” by Mortal Chains

Recorded at Rocking Horse Studios in Durham and produced once again by Neil Combstock, a sophomore EP “Committed To Flames” from Mortal Chains is in some ways bitter sweet. It marks the end of the first chapter of the Northern creators of all things heavy as bassist Ross Smith and drummer Alex Connor exit stage left and leaves founding member, mastermind, vocalist and guitarist Martin Elliott to go in search of fresh blood capable of delivering his vision. This line up has reached some impressive heights, sharing stages with Gutlocker, Party Cannon and Decrepit Monolith not to mention their recorded material and while there isn’t a shred of evidence to suggest a new line up won’t do likewise, the first cut is the deepest…

Mortal Chains have long cited influences from the Worlds of both Thrash and Death Metal, recording a tribute to Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead (“Go To Your Grave“) as well as playing covers live from the likes of Sepultura, very much the kind of musicians to wear their hearts on their sleeves with pride. A celebration of that, the new record feels like a more rounded affair, pushing out the extremes that make up the bands core sound and offering diversity within borders and boundaries. Raw, primitive and savagely aggressive “All Alike Will Burn” feels like it was recorded live on the floor in one take, the fast, lose and abrasive guitar work having distinctive second wave of Black Metal vibes. Whether that’s down to Scandinavian influences or Venom is open to interpretation but it is all there and that is a theme continued into “Before Your Deaf God“, a bold and brave breakneck Blackened Speed Metal onslaught. Elliott’s vocals are nothing short of throat splitting and rather than being more refined, if anything they feel more abrasive following the self titled EP and live performances, like wire wool for the ear drums. Clawing tooth and nail at the brains, the depravity of this one is reminiscent of recent offerings from South America as Mortal Chains go in search of their pound of flesh. The soloing is impressive and keeps you on the edge of the seat because it’s a rollercoaster ride which threatens to derail at any point. It genuinely feels like at any point Mortal Chains could break into “Whiplash” by Metallica but played in that Black ‘n Roll Speed Metal style of a band like  Sadistic Force. Perpetual forward motion is maintained with “A Sign To Ward Off Silence” another Black ‘n Roll fired cut forged in the fires of hell itself. That Motorhead influence is captured in scorching bits of lead in the riff turn around, the introspective lyrical narrative not lost in the fun on the caustic sound. What’s great about this one is that you can hear the quality of the musicianship and composition shine through the bands style choice if you give it time, making it a rewarding listen.

Biting at the neck, the vicious little ditty that is “Torment” has a nasty streak though it, cutting like wire. A savage beating with an evil grin, this one makes bands who tread a similar path with similar influences like Bewitcher sound like they’re making Pop Music in comparison, such is the sadistic force of the onslaught, helped by a toxic mix from Combstock. A live favourite long before it was committed to tape “Weight Of Ages” has been chemically enhanced and now features a powerful guest vocal appearance from Kat Shevil Gillham (Thronehammer, Nine Altars, Winds of Genocide), the band proving they can create a moody, meloncholic atmosphere with the introduction. Cleverly the feeling isn’t lost with the rise of the furious vocals and bludgeoning percussion. Instead it burns though to the cerebral cortex with the power and fiery fury of a toxic holocaust, the sinister churning riff that brings it to its bitter end a fitting finale. While that one would feel like an unnatural conclusion to this twisted metal affair, Mortal Chains have one final nail bomb waiting for us in title track “Commited To Flames“. A nine minute long magnum opus that begins in time honoured fashion with an extended instrumental passage of menacing and sinister charm before the vocals an lightening bolt leads come into force. If it wasn’t for those caustic vocals there are moments that sound like they could be lifted from demo tape belonging to Alexi Laiho at the height of his Children of Bodom days, such is the quality, especially in the final third. There is a nostalgic quality to the record that unmistakable, adding to its charm while making it something fearfully addictive at the same time. It’s cold in the North but the white heat of this record will keep you warm.  [8/10]

Track Listing

1. All Alike Will Burn
2. Before Your Deaf God
3. A Sign To Ward Off Silence
4. Torment
5. Weight Of Ages (ft. Kat Shevil Gillham (Thronehammer, Nine Altars, Winds of Genocide)
6. Commited To Flames

“Committed To Flames” by Mortal Chains is out 5th April 2024