Does anyone remember the energetic Dutch band Callenish Circle? STATE:CHAOS act in the same way as their fellow countrymen. Despite all spread energy and unleashed aggression, the quintet does not forget about some melody lines. Besides, a few memorable refrains found their way onto this release, so that friends of modern Thrash Metal will be fully enthused by Chaos//Pain//Despair. The German warhorses Dew Scented come to my mind as another reference, caused by the similar sounding voice of vocalist Remco. The album rocks like hell and the real thrasher will either bang his head or raise his fist towards the sky while singing along some nice refrains like From The Grave. Interim, the musicians offer some parts to play the air guitar during the track Never Again, including some growled vocals.

The music gets some additional dynamics if some calm elements are integrated, but these contained moments are sparsely used. Let’s pick out the hacking tune To Die Again with decent hymnal sounds as felicitous example. I also like the instrumental breather called Everlasting Pain. Obviously, the group’s priority is melodic aggression and therefore balances the deficit of missing innovation.