Total Punking Chaos!
Well here we have it! Straight up punk from Californian's heroes Total Chaos who have been around since 1989 – hence this release entitled '17 Years Of Chaos'. With their fists pounding in the air, Total Chaos bring us the raw punk sound that bands such as US Bombs and the more commercial Rancid have carried on.
The other thing that is also quickly overlooked is the social and political statements brought to us through the music, and thus teaching youngsters in a more acceptable form of education. Indeed Total Chaos (along side Jay Lee from 'Resist and Exist') started organisations, which included social events like 'Food Not Bombs' – giving support to the 'Big Mountain Indian Reservation', and helping to open the 'Los Angeles Anarchist Centre'. They were also prominent in protesting against the Gulf War. All through their music there is the anti-war message, along with their views on Mr Bush which are along the same lines as Fat Mike from NOFX's...
So as commendable as these positive actions are, just how good are Total Chaos? Well here we have 28 reasons why they are important in the punk movement. Right from the siren on first intro song, do we know that this is a treat. Rob Chaos' rasping vocals fire out on 'Riot City' which includes that gang-chanting chorus, not too surprisingly of 'Riot City!' There are flashes of skater/punks Suicidal Tendencies on 'Army Story' in the catchy riffs, and almost talking punk vocals.
'Kill The Nazis', apart from being a good message nods its head firmly at the New York Hardcore scene, as does 'Squaters Song' which in my opinion are weaker moments of the band. There is the fast paced Thrash of 'Horror Visions', whilst the simplicity of 'Complete Control' is a sheer joy to listen to and is about as close to pop/punk - in a Descendants way - that you can get. Then to add move diversity we have the comedic and acoustic start of 'DUI' which suddenly jumps into a real hard rocking number that is a mixture of Green Day, The Clash and The Briggs. This leads us into the catchy-as-hell sing-a-long 'Baby I Hate You' which is punking great!
You can almost imagine Duane Peters singing 'Riot '77' which is a real polished US Bombs sounding song, whilst there are more shouting chorus chants in 'Another Boot Party'. 'Freedom Kills', apart from starting off with a classic Bush-ism, jumps straight into some heavy dark riffing that sounds very close to Ministry's classic anthem 'N.W.O.' (New World Order).
There are 3 bonus songs, which are made of hardcore song 'Pain, Agony Defeat', straight up punk in 'U.V.P.', and the longest song by a mile 'Enraged' which is a little Sepultura, Pantera and Slayer rapped in a mid-tempo rant which is actually a well layered song.
You only have to remind yourself that these guys have been around for 17 years, and this makes it even more surprising that all of these songs sit next to each other really well. Total Chaos have laid the foundations for punk/rock like arguably bands like the Pistols, The Clash, The Ramones and the Stooges did before them, for bands like Rancid, Green Day and Offspring to have the commercial success now that they have now.
This is pure straight up, hair-spiked, studded-jacket, black-leather, skin-tight-trousers, snotty-nosed, pierced-forehead, fist-punching, punk rock – and we love it! Oi! Oi! Oi!