Review: Chat Pile - God's Country

Label: The Flenser

 

CHAT PILE left a lasting impression when they dropped the video for "Slaughterhouse" a few weeks ago. Not only the offensive imagery of said video was breathtaking, the noisy, sludge-y music and the haunting, hypnotic vocals gave the Oklahoma-outift a kickstart in my own perception. I described them as a blend of THE BODY, INFINITY LAND, UNSANE, THE JESUS LIZARD & PORTRAYAL OF GUILT. And I can't say anything has changed about this, after listening to their debut album in full. CHAT PILE are a special band and "God's Country" is a special record. A record that already turned some heads and will continue to do so.

"Slaughterhouse" is the opener and it's one of the albums' highlights, also it represents CHAT PILE at their catchiest. The second standout follows suit with "Why", a song that is carried by the shockingly brutal and thought-provoking paroles by singer Randy Rulz: 

Why do people have to live outside

We have the resources

We have the means

Why

It's one of the most emotional, intense, memorable and downright one of the most important songs I've heard in a long time. What's amazing is how CHAT PILE achieve such results with rather simple methods. The song is straight forward and has a simple structure. "Pamela" goes in third and hits a different note. It's a morbid, disturbing love story that gets more brooding minute after minute, when the lead singer finally states: "Nothing before me now but pain". The music is calm in comparison to the firt two tracks, yet it fits the haunting character of the whole track.

It takes a while to get over the awesome beginning of "God's Country". With the first few record spins, these three songs outshine most of the tracks. But give the other 6 songs some time, they'll grow no matter what. Every song offers small, new elements, still CHAT PILE don't lose their focus or break their own flow. While the already known "Wicket Puppet Dance" is a sinister punch in the face, "Anywhere" surprises with his near forgiving melodic point of view. "Tropical Beaches Inc." showcases some KORN-esque, downtuned guitars and the second to last track "I don't care if I burn" is as terrifying as the title might suggest. It's the voice in a hate-fueled monologue, only backed up by some noise effects, admitting "I think about killing you everyday". The closer "grimace_smoking_weed.jpeg" then is the most complex, diverse track on "God's Country" in its 9 minutes playtime. It's like a best of everything with a small climax that fades out sloooowly 'til the end of the record. The fading out process is more excessive than the climax itself, but it's what you'd expect from these mad men. The tortured screams near the end and these words are as impactful as an album finale can get:

I’m trying to kill myself
If you don’t mind
That’s why I locked the door
I just need some privacy
If you don’t mind I’m gonna
Open the window now
And jump out Face first
I know we’re not that high
But if I do it right
I can break my neck
I don’t wanna be alive
I don’t wanna be alive

CHAT PILE's debut album is the most radical, the most offensive, the most disgusting, the most repulsive record of the year. But it's also one of the most important and fascinating records of the year. This band totally belongs in today's ongoing madness!

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