🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on #KEXP's #VarietyMix

Chariots Overdrive:
🎵 Marching Maniacs

#ChariotsOverdrive

https://chariotsoverdrive.bandcamp.com/track/marching-maniacs

https://open.spotify.com/track/7kTDcvkyVDykHb21eMngSo

🎶 show playlist 👇
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6G4PaS9BNkIuGqMo44rbfZ

🎶 KEXP playlist 👇
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6VNALrOa3gWbk794YuIrwg

🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on #KEXP's #VarietyMix

Chariots Overdrive:
🎵 Marching Maniacs

#ChariotsOverdrive

https://open.spotify.com/track/7kTDcvkyVDykHb21eMngSo

🎶 show playlist 👇
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6G4PaS9BNkIuGqMo44rbfZ

🎶 KEXP playlist 👇
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6VNALrOa3gWbk794YuIrwg

Manilla Road, Motörhead, and Megaton Sword walk into a bar—Lemmy’s pick, if that helps you picture the place. Someone yells, “cops outside!” The word “cops” clears the room faster than napalm ever could. Stampede. The bands are swept up in the deluge of bodies, bewildered and sweaty. Amidst the chaos, several shuffle into a nearby van. Driving off, they realize that 1) these aren’t their bandmates, 2) this is Di’Anno-era Iron Maiden’s van with their keys and all their equipment left inside, and 3) they picked up Dropkick Murphys somewhere along the way. If this hypothetical group decided to run with it, they would sound like Chariots Overdrive. Hailing from Beijing, China, and currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia, these adherents of the NWoBHM sound old as dirt on their debut, The End of Antiquity, injecting fantastical lyricism inspired by Chinese history and folklore into their mix. But can this van/chariot go the distance, or has this ride seen its last mile?

The End of Antiquity is driven by allegiance to metal in the purest form, and Chariots Overdrive wield it with punk-like tenacity. Speed and belligerence rule The End of Antiquity, embodied in the full-band gang vocals of “Marching Maniacs” and the Dead Kennedys-like discordance of “Parasite.” The belts and snarls singer G.H.Z uses on “A Taikonautic Alchemist” and “Chariots Overdrive”1 would fit as well with Rancid as they do here, and their guitars and bass evoke the aforementioned early Maiden years in the punkish bite (“The End of Antiquity”). Bassist Z.Z.Y lays down aggressively clicky, highly melodic lines across The End of Antiquity, giving Chariots Overdrive a burly-yet-catchy streak akin to Steve Harris’ playing and bolstering G.H.Z and Y.Z’s gnarly dual guitars and W.R.C’s punchy drums into a full-bodied declaration of victory. Chariots Overdrive feel rooted in the simple joy of throwing ragers with the boys, and The End of Antiquity is, if nothing else, a rager.

Chariots Overdrive don’t overcomplicate anything, which is a boon and bane to The End of Antiquity. Most songs play around simple melodies over two to four chords. Guitar solos aren’t flashy on The End of Antiquity, but they’re incisive. When the outcome is exhilarating like “Chariots Overdrive” or Judas Priest-levels of catchy like “Marching Maniacs,” it’s hard to argue. But it also puts the onus of The End of Antiquity’s success on Chariot Overdrive’s performances, which can falter. G.H.Z isn’t a powerhouse vocalist and sounds downright rough at times, especially where Chariot Overdrive attempt harmonization, such as the chorus of “A Taikonautic Alchemist.” It also means that, despite the album’s lean runtime, The End of Antiquity sounds somewhat exhausted by the time “Nomadic Warfare” and the title track appear, as their hooks are comparatively weaker to the rest of the record. I’m all for simplifying something for the sake of effectiveness, but what’s left has to be as tight as you can make it. In this regard, Chariots Overdrive can improve.

What Chariots Overdrive need is a more refined identity. Like early Iron Maiden, Chariots Overdrive seem to strive towards a dirty-yet-sophisticated sound and theming, evidenced by the fingerstyle guitar and serene bass-and-piano interludes of “Where Dust Reigns” and “Sunken Throb,”2 but these instrumentals’ moods aren’t matched or mirrored by the rest of the album and feel tacked-on as a result. The standout, 12-minute song “A Bizarre Pilgrimage to the Cubik Mansion” hints at what Chariots Overdrive can do, as the band navigates artfully between Motörhead’s hyped-up rock n’ roll and Black Sabbathian gloomy doom.3 But the track buckles a bit under its weight by the end and feels done a few minutes before it’s over. Chariots Overdrive are engaging by grit and energy, but without a solid grasp on what exactly they are doing, The End of Antiquity can only be a fun-but-flawed work when taken as a whole.

The End of Antiquity has some flaws, but I still like where the Chariots Overdrive van is going. If you like any of the bands mentioned above it’s a safe bet you’ll get something out of this. There’s obvious chemistry between the band, and their debut has plenty of good moments throughout that are both fun in the present and hint towards a stronger future. I don’t want Chariots Overdrive to give up on what they’re doing, but if they can merge their punk hooliganism with the finesse they aspire towards in the next album, it’ll be a hit. There’s a lot of highway ahead, but this chariot’s got tread to spare yet.

Rating: Mixed
DR: 84 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps MP3
Label: Gates of Hell Records
Websites: chariotsoverdrive.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/chariotsoverdrive
Releases Worldwide: April 3rd, 20265

Band Of The Day: Chariots Overdrive (USA)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZziwebIhlQ

Band: Chariots Overdrive

Country: USA

Label: Gates of Hell Records 

Album: The End of Antiquity

Members: G.H.Z – Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitars, Piano

Y.Z – Lead Guitars, Acoustic Guitars, Backing Vocals

Z.Z.Y – Bass Guitars, Backing Vocals

W.R.C – Drums, Percussions, Backing Vocals

Track Info: Chariots Overdrive

Gates of Hell Records proudly presents The End of Antiquity

Gates of Hell Records proudly presents The End of Antiquity, the first full length album from Chariots Overdrive, a band that brings together fantasy driven themes and classic heavy metal power in a bold and imaginative debut.

From the opening riff to the final strike of the drums, Chariots Overdrive make an immediate impact. The record is built on commanding guitar work, soaring solos, mystical vocals and tight, energetic percussion. Their sound draws from the attitude of NWOBHM, the epic flair of USPM and a clear influence from Metalucifer. The album was mixed and mastered by Greg Hendler, who delivers a strong and natural production style that will appeal to listeners who prefer the raw force of 1980s heavy metal.

Although the album is rooted in traditional heavy metal, it offers plenty of surprises. Subtle progressions and unusual twists appear throughout the songs, adding excitement without compromising the band’s commitment to pure heavy metal. The lyrics take inspiration from ancient Chinese historical writings and mythic tales, a theme rarely explored in the genre and one that gives the album a distinctive identity.

Across nine tracks, The End of Antiquity creates a vivid emotional journey. The music carries feelings of sorrow, triumph, battle fury and a powerful sense of adventure. The band’s attention to detail and their instinct for memorable melodies result in a fully realised debut that feels complete and confident. The hooks linger long after the album ends and the rhythmic drive encourages repeated listens.

Gates of Hell Records will release The End of Antiquity on April 3 on CD, vinyl and digital formats.

Pre order: CD: https://tinyurl.com/mrxkbwkw Black Vinyl: https://tinyurl.com/46avhuut Bandcamp: chariotsoverdrive.bandcamp.com/album/the-end-of-antiquity

Track Listing:

Links

Instagram: Instagram: instagram.com/chariots_overdrive_metal

Facebook: facebook.com/chariotsoverdrive

Label: https://www.facebook.com/gatesofhellrecords/