Born in the late, cold months of 2007, South East metallers Designs Of Chaos have emerged as uncompromisingly powerful and heavy. This new single of theirs, 'Bleed For Me', is a straight down the line, monster of a metal song that doesn't spare time for any undecided. It hammers down the track like a brutal juggernaut raised on Lamb Of God before dropping excellently in to a Pantera-style groove, and when it does the vocals drop with it from a high-pitched scream down into a deep impassioned growl. The music is technical, with the bass not content with hammering out any old route note. Instead it competes for exposure with the guitars, complimented powerfully by the motor of the drums. Although technical and heavy, at just over 3 minutes 'Bleed For Me' has a definite punk aggression which makes the sound refreshing and exciting.

Sticking with the bloody theme to match the blood splattered CD, the wonderfully titled, 'Plague Of Cannibals' is nonetheless a different kind of beast. It is no less heavy, or powerful, but it is more restrained with regards to straightforward thrashing. The song shifts around, producing a master display of myriad crunching riffs, while guitar solos abound pulling the song into constantly new directions. 'Plague Of Cannibals' is somewhat of a musical journey through complex areas of epic, melodic metal while the voice remains deep and intimidating throughout, displaying the strongest side of the singer's vocal power. The difference in approach between the two tracks signifies a welcome ability to embrace varying ideas, and if they can achieve this across a full album then I can only expect them to go from strength to strength.

Having developed their sound over years of attempting to solidify a line up, Designs Of Chaos are now beginning to launch themselves fully on to the metal scene. They will be playing the Camden Barfly on the 30th October, so get down there and check them out before they eat each other.

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