Chasing Dragons
Garry from SAN PR recently sent us through details of Chasing Dragons, a Leeds based hard rock unit destined for big things following the release of their debut album, Take Flight For A Firefight. Combining beefy riffs, enticing hooks and pounding beats, this unit was only formed in 2011 yet here we are with a 10 track album ready to be checked out – so it’s about time I hit play!
Opening with Spawn Of The Succubus we’re immediately thrust into a dark and sleazy pit of good old rock music, the vibe adopting a feeling of raw power combined with late nights and drinking. The vocals come in surprisingly soft yet soon take their place over the backing track, continuing to form a mix which is going to get you moving and singing along before you know it. The power of the track soon combines with a sense of catchiness and what you’re left with is a track which wouldn’t be out of place on a stadium rock stage – it’s impossible to resist!
Mirror’s Edge follows on and initially seems to slow everything down a notch, opening with a soft and acoustic lead in before once again resuming the powerful, distorted approach. Despite this combination of hard and soft, as the vocals come in everything adopts a serene and soothing approach, sounding almost relaxed whilst still managing to convey a sense of urgency through the music. Not giving in what’s coming until the chorus kicks in, all is suddenly revealed to be another catchy and powerful chorus which is going to work its way into your head and stay there for days on end, it’s another great track. Black Velvet (yes a cover) follows on, once again showing that these guys aren’t a one trick pony and can turn their hand to whatever they choose to! Turning a rock ballad into a new sounding track can always be a risk, but personally as I listened to the bluesy undertones and sludgy mix I found myself thinking that this is better than the original, it’s awesome!
Seeds Of Tomorrow is another track which doesn’t give a lot away at first, suggesting that things are once again adopting a more laid back approach to allow you a moment to reflect, but soon upping the pace once again to keep you involved in the album. Catchy from the off, the off heavy approach throughout this track turns this into a serious highpoint on the album and a moment which, I imagine, will get a hell of a lot of airplay if given the chance. City Of Steel continues this ‘radio friendly’ approach to rock, opening in a manner which combines the intricate guitar work of old school metal with a more updated feel, a sense of modern metal designed for the masses almost. The galloping guitar line which continues things continues this feeling, once again crafting a track which holds surprise after surprise and not letting on until you’re already well and truly converted. The highlight for me throughout this track has to be the layered vocals, they’ve got an almost electronic feel to them at times, offering up a haunting finish which is surely going to convert anyone who had any doubts left.
Into The Pit is less of a radio track, this time launching into a pumping mix of guitar work and urgent drumming. This is another highpoint on the album in my eyes, showing off the more raw edge that these guys have managed to develop from. Despite the rough undertones to the track, this is another one which is catchy throughout and will make you want to get out and see them live, something I really need to do. Closing the ‘official’ album tracks with Under The Earth the feeling of sludgy power is continued, once again launching straight into a powerful and bassy mix which is surely going to get live crowds encircling the stage. Powerful throughout, I really like these tracks as they’re not massively produced nor reliant on any effects, it’s just the sound of a band doing what they do and doing it damned well.
Spawn Of The Succubus (Live Acoustic) and Into The Pit (Live Acoustic) are the two acoustic tracks on the album, showing off the bands versatility when it comes to their music. It’s striking firstly that a band can take their track and make it work on an acoustic level, but when it’s done with the aplomb that these guys have it’s impossible to resist. Turning rock tracks into heart wrenching moments of sheer emotional genius, the closing moments of this album may well be slower and more laid back, but they leave you with a sense that this is something special, that this is a band which you’re going to have to keep an eye on.
When I first hit play on this album from Chasing Dragons I thought I was going to be in for a selection of generic rock tracks, unimaginative songs based on what the masses want – but I’ve never been so wrong. At every turn they’ve managed to surprise me, added in moments which will make you reconsider what you thought you knew, moments which make you sit down, moments which make you want to dance, and moments which simply work on a level which doesn’t need words. This is one hell of an album that’s for sure – and I can’t wait to see what people think of it.
To find out more about Chasing Dragons, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with Spawn Of The Succubus we’re immediately thrust into a dark and sleazy pit of good old rock music, the vibe adopting a feeling of raw power combined with late nights and drinking. The vocals come in surprisingly soft yet soon take their place over the backing track, continuing to form a mix which is going to get you moving and singing along before you know it. The power of the track soon combines with a sense of catchiness and what you’re left with is a track which wouldn’t be out of place on a stadium rock stage – it’s impossible to resist!
Mirror’s Edge follows on and initially seems to slow everything down a notch, opening with a soft and acoustic lead in before once again resuming the powerful, distorted approach. Despite this combination of hard and soft, as the vocals come in everything adopts a serene and soothing approach, sounding almost relaxed whilst still managing to convey a sense of urgency through the music. Not giving in what’s coming until the chorus kicks in, all is suddenly revealed to be another catchy and powerful chorus which is going to work its way into your head and stay there for days on end, it’s another great track. Black Velvet (yes a cover) follows on, once again showing that these guys aren’t a one trick pony and can turn their hand to whatever they choose to! Turning a rock ballad into a new sounding track can always be a risk, but personally as I listened to the bluesy undertones and sludgy mix I found myself thinking that this is better than the original, it’s awesome!
Seeds Of Tomorrow is another track which doesn’t give a lot away at first, suggesting that things are once again adopting a more laid back approach to allow you a moment to reflect, but soon upping the pace once again to keep you involved in the album. Catchy from the off, the off heavy approach throughout this track turns this into a serious highpoint on the album and a moment which, I imagine, will get a hell of a lot of airplay if given the chance. City Of Steel continues this ‘radio friendly’ approach to rock, opening in a manner which combines the intricate guitar work of old school metal with a more updated feel, a sense of modern metal designed for the masses almost. The galloping guitar line which continues things continues this feeling, once again crafting a track which holds surprise after surprise and not letting on until you’re already well and truly converted. The highlight for me throughout this track has to be the layered vocals, they’ve got an almost electronic feel to them at times, offering up a haunting finish which is surely going to convert anyone who had any doubts left.
Into The Pit is less of a radio track, this time launching into a pumping mix of guitar work and urgent drumming. This is another highpoint on the album in my eyes, showing off the more raw edge that these guys have managed to develop from. Despite the rough undertones to the track, this is another one which is catchy throughout and will make you want to get out and see them live, something I really need to do. Closing the ‘official’ album tracks with Under The Earth the feeling of sludgy power is continued, once again launching straight into a powerful and bassy mix which is surely going to get live crowds encircling the stage. Powerful throughout, I really like these tracks as they’re not massively produced nor reliant on any effects, it’s just the sound of a band doing what they do and doing it damned well.
Spawn Of The Succubus (Live Acoustic) and Into The Pit (Live Acoustic) are the two acoustic tracks on the album, showing off the bands versatility when it comes to their music. It’s striking firstly that a band can take their track and make it work on an acoustic level, but when it’s done with the aplomb that these guys have it’s impossible to resist. Turning rock tracks into heart wrenching moments of sheer emotional genius, the closing moments of this album may well be slower and more laid back, but they leave you with a sense that this is something special, that this is a band which you’re going to have to keep an eye on.
When I first hit play on this album from Chasing Dragons I thought I was going to be in for a selection of generic rock tracks, unimaginative songs based on what the masses want – but I’ve never been so wrong. At every turn they’ve managed to surprise me, added in moments which will make you reconsider what you thought you knew, moments which make you sit down, moments which make you want to dance, and moments which simply work on a level which doesn’t need words. This is one hell of an album that’s for sure – and I can’t wait to see what people think of it.
To find out more about Chasing Dragons, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls