Chaos Doctrine-Talks to Fanbase Music Magazine About New Single And More
Interview by: Duzzy Clayton
Full Band Photography: Devographic Music Agency
Live Individual Band Member Photography: Wayde Flowerday Photography
Full Band Photography: Devographic Music Agency
Intro
Chaos Doctrine brings a unique and modern metal assault by blending old school thrash and death with aggressive industrial metal. Originally formed in 2011 in Johannesburg, South Africa by vocalist Dr D (Bedlam, Malachi, DedX), the band line up is completed by veteran guitarist and band producer Alec Surridge (Sacraphyx, The Warinsane), bass guitarist, backing vocalist and band visual artist Phil Carstens (DedX), and explosive drummer Jason Eedes (Jasper Dan, Azraella’s Sorrow, Beyond the Pale & The Sinners).
For its members, Chaos Doctrine is more than a band: it is a comprehensive sensory experience and a brand. Everything the band produces conveys this – the band name itself, their aggressive sonic releases, explosive live shows, dystopic visual products, and stabbing lyrical content. Chaos Doctrine explores the shadow of the human condition, hatred, brutality, decay. Their approach is unrelenting, fueled by rage and void of apology. This is aggression, this is Chaos Doctrine!
Questions
Hi, guys welcome to Fanbase Music Magazine, Can we get a brief background from each band of where they grew up, how they got into music, and what they do in the band?
Chaos Doctrine was originally formed in late 2010, with Dr D (Vocals) and Phil (Bass, backing vocals, band visuals) being founding members. Alec (guitar, band production engineering) joined the band in 2013 and Jason (drums) in 2022. Dr D and Phil grew up in Johannesburg, whereas Alec is originally from Cape Town and Jason is originally from Durban. All of us got into metal in our teens, playing in various types of metal bands across the country.
You have a very interesting sound, how would you describe it to our readers if they wanted to know what genre you are?
We describe our sound as Industrialised Thrash Metal. It is difficult to clearly type our sound, which is exactly the way we like it. Our tracks are a composite of various elements, ranging from old school to more modern metal, overlayed with symphonies and electro/industrial components at times. So, you cannot say we sound like X our Y band, as there is always something we do that those bands do not.
What is important is that we play metal – mostly pretty extreme metal – and we aim to keep our sound distinct and novel. Whoever listens to it will find something that makes them think of a band they like, so the best thing to do is to check us out!
Who are some of the band’s influences?
Our influences are very wide! For example, all of us are into old-school thrash metal (SLAYER, Testament, etc.), some Swedish death metal (Hypocrisy, Dark Tranquility), European Symphonic Death/Black Metal (Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir, ScepticFlesh), and industrial metal (Ministry, Fear Factory, White Zombie). But Alec also likes technical metal and is a huge Meshuggah fan, Phil is a huge fan of the Florida death metal scene, and Dr D and Jason both like electro like CombiChrist and Suicide Commando. Alec and Dr D are also huge Pink Floyd fans.
We find this diversity really contributes to our distinct sound: every band member hears something different when we create something new, and all of that ultimately culminates in a Chaos Doctrine track!
Photography: Wayde Flowerday Photography
How long has the band been going?
The band was originally formed in late 2010 under the name Subhuman Race. We became Chaos Doctrine in 2011 and went through a number of member changes. We also took our time to embed our identity and sound before putting out material and playing shows since 2018.
Your previous two tracks featured in Fanbase Music Magazine were ‘Martyr’ and ‘Father Grigori’, how did you feel those tracks did in the industry?
We are always surprised at how well our tracks are received, and how widely our music is enjoyed. For example, we see a huge fanbase in South America especially but also garner interest from Europe, the States, and Australasia.
Father Grigori was a great single because it ushered in a newer sound for Chaos Doctrine when it was released. This was the first single from our second album, “And in the Beginning… They Lied”. The track brought a more complex approach to songwriting and better arrangement and production – and people saw that and commented on that, too. Fans of Fast and heavy loved it.
The response we got to Martyr, however, was utterly overwhelming! The track is completely different from anything we had ever done before, and we hoped that our fans would like it. It went way beyond that though, getting great feedback and even getting us many new fans. In addition, Martyr even ended up being on Metal Hammer’s list of 10 Best New Metal Songs for the Week and Best New Metal Songs for 2022! We also put out two versions of the track, the second featuring amazing female symphonic vocals from a friend of ours, Laura Ann Cayzer, from the band Capgras Delusion.
For people learning about us for the first time from this piece, I would encourage them to listen to both these tracks as it gives a nice spread of our sound… and if that isn’t enough, check out our other tracks too. We always say there’s something for everyone on our albums, regardless of the type of metal that you prefer!
Photography: Wayde Flowerday Photography
Okay, let’s talk about your new single, ‘One Of My Bad Days’, what is the song about?
We are very excited to release One of My Bad Days. It is the third single from our forthcoming third album, after “Lifting the Veil” (released early 2022) and Martyr mentioned above. Because Martyr was so different from what we did before, we thought our next single should give people what they would expect from us: a metal track that is hard, fast, and groovy, with just enough industrial elements to give it our distinct sound. And One of My Bad Days is exactly that.
The track follows a mass murderer that has been apprehended and is now relaying his story. But, he refuses to confess, because, in his mind, he didn’t do anything wrong. It was just one of his bad days, and he did what he needed to do!
Where was it recorded and who worked on it?
One of My Bad Days was recorded at Gemini AD Studios and mixed and mastered by our Guitarist Alec Surridge. Alec is a great engineer and every piece of work he does is at a higher level of quality than what he did before! So if bands out there are interested in using him, get in touch with us and we will connect you.
Alec also wrote the track, Dr D overlayed the industrial elements and wrote the lyrics, and we all got together to make it just a monster track.
When is the track set to be released?
The track will be on digital platforms on Friday 21 July!
Photography: Wayde Flowerday Photography
Can you explain a live experience of one of your shows?
We have always been obsessed with putting up a show, rather than “just playing our songs live”. For us, it is important that people who paid money to see us, get both a visual and auditory spectacle (or assault may be a better word!). We have a visual identity that complements our music, and that shines through when we hit the stage!
Can you give us your social media links?
All Links https://linktr.ee/chaosdoctrine
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ChaosDoctrine
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chaosdoctrine
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/ChaosDoctrine
Bandcamp https://chaosdoctrine.bandcamp.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/ChaosDoctrine
Thank you for doing this interview, do you have any last messages for your readers?
Thank you for the opportunity to do this interview! To your readers, who have supported us over the years, we do not have the words to express our gratitude. We live for our music and it really is amazing when people from all over the world get in touch with us to say that what we make means something to them. For those that haven’t heard us, check us out!
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