Overview
Chaotic Assault of Raw Noiz is a recent demo released by Carnage SS, a D Beat Noise Punk band from Anchorage, Alaska. The title truly embodies the sporadic and aggressive sounds held inside. In only four tracks, with none surpassing two minutes, the feeling of chaos is very accurately portrayed.
Instrumentation
Carnage SS takes what could be considered the traditional punk sound, and turns it into something far noisier. With that said, it is done in such a way that it would still be accessible to a fan of traditional punk, that doesn’t usually delve into more experimental realms. This demo would be a good starting point for someone looking to get into more experimental styles of punk, due to the fact that it is not purely avant garde, but it is still more sonically challenging than music from bands such as the Ramones, or even Black Flag.
Vocal Delivery
The vocals on this album are approached in a very aggressive manner. The vocals on this album are comparable to the vocals provided by Discharge, but with a lower vocal range. The vocal delivery on this demo would be appealing to fans of D Beat and similar subgenres of punk.
Lyrics
The lyrics on this demo deal with war and the aftermath that comes with it. This subject matter has been explored in the past by many bands from the same genre, but rather than causing it to go stale, the familiarity with the topic adds to the listenability. Vivid imagery of the destruction and chaos caused by warfare are very accurately created through the lyrics used throughout the demo.
Production
While some people may expect punk music, especially a demo, to have a particular style of production, that they may consider low quality, this demo strays away from that expectation. While I do enjoy music regardless of production quality, I was pleasantly surprised by the production heard on this demo. This production would make the demo more accessible to a more casual listener of punk, and those who don’t mind lower production qualities would still find this enjoyable as an experience different to the one they are used to.
Conclusion
The instrumentation, vocals style, and lyrics, all come together very well to create a distinct feeling throughout the demo. All of the aspects of the demo enhance each other in a way that makes the music seem very thought out. The risks taken on this demo, are done in such a way that the music is still accessible to those who have yet to experience a great deal of noisy experimentation. The production, while it is not something that I personally find to be a make or break, still adds to the listening experience on this demo. I would highly recommend this demo to fans of D-Beat, Noise Punk, as well as Punk in general.