The Chariot is a noisy bunch. Ever since vocalist Josh Scogin left Norma Jean and started The Chariot, every release sees them upping the ante in terms of intensity, rawness and sheer volume. This time around they spent a little more time on the production side of things and with the help of producer Matt Goldman “Wars And Rumors Of Wars” sounds even nastier than their previous outings.

Now, normally I’m not into the whole ‘let’s throw some heavy parts together and call it a day’ but these dudes manage to give everything a nice natural flow which somehow only makes things even more powerful. And they throw in these little finishing touches that just kill me. Like when that clean guitar comes in at the end of “Impress”? Awesome!

Other than that it’s a whole lot of wretched squeals and plenty of chugga chugga parts with Scogin’s possessed growls taking the lead. “Abandon” is the odd man out here, a slow yet pitch black track that will stop your headbanging in its track before “Dagger” sets things into overdrive again.

Simply put, these guys have got the goods and it’s delivered in a neat, numbered and hand-printed slipcase.