With a name like Chaotic Remains there is but one style of music a band could play. And sure enough Malta’s own Chaotic Remains play metal, symphonic death metal to be precise.

I catch up with the youngsters ahead of their appearance at the Metal Over Malta festival and ask a few questions about the band’s progress so far, their music and what’s upcoming.

We start at the beginning. Founded in 2008 by two of the band’s current members, the band first appeared live in 2011 supported by local veterans Thy Legion.

Since 2012, the member list has been less than stable and the band underwent various line-up changes which by the band’s own admission proved to be a deterrent to Chaotic Remains’ ability to move forward.

Notwithstanding this, the introduction of new members over the course of 2013 to 2014 proved to be a turning point for the band. In fact, Chaotic Remains finished off enough material to demo a number of songs which are available online and performed in various gigs and festivals, including Malta’s own Death Fest and Xtreme Metal Assault.

Lineup changes are hardly conducive to productivity, so I enquire about that.

“The band introduced three new members in just 20 months and this new, stable line-up has no doubt brought about a change to the band’s genre of music,” says keyboardist William.

“It’s made Chaotic Remains what it is today – melody and orchestration combined with technical riffs, groovy breakdowns and versatile vocals. I think this is best reflected in our latest songs, two of which will be performed live for the first time at the Metal Over Malta event.”

And songs they do have. Apart from the handful they’ve demoed, the band has enough material to record a full length, with studio time slated for this year and also enough songs left over, as it were, to start considering a second album come 2017.

A mixture of melody and orchestration, brutal breakdowns, groovy bass lines, all while delving into aspects of technical death metal

The Chaotic Remains boys are a busy bunch and alongside this year’s Fate in the Abyss full length release they’re planning for their first music video which will feature one of the tracks off the album.

The band is also aiming to launch its first batch of t-shirts which will hopefully be ready and available at the Metal Over Malta festival.

All very well so far then, but for a few uphill climbs. And what is it that drives the band forward and upward?

“If we take lyrics first we are primarily focused on addressing various religious themes. Our new material directly addresses the Norse gods and draws various connotations to practices and beliefs of the Viking era. These tracks will feature in our second album, which is scheduled for release in the fall of 2017.”

“As to music, every band member differs in musical influences and tastes. We have fought to retain various elements of different styles and genres in our tracks and these mostly include a mixture of melody and orchestration, brutal breakdowns, groovy bass lines – all while delving into aspects of technical death metal.

“If we had to put a name to it, Chaotic Remains plays symphonic death metal, or something very close to that indeed.” Right, so Metal Over Malta.

A pretty big deal with established bands such as Sweden’s Draconian making the trip to perform for the locals.

What are their expectations for this festival? Metal Over Malta is undoubtedly one of the largest festivals which the band has had the opportunity to feature in.

“We’re already super proud to have played in two of Malta’s largest festivals so far – the Extreme Metal Assault in 2014 and the third version of the Malta Death Fest. As always, we aim to deliver a good performance to our audience while hoping that the event will prove to be a stepping stone in gaining exposure on local and international circuits.”

Metal Over Malta takes place on Saturday at Chateau Buskett, l/o Rabat.

The festival features Draconian as the headlining band, supported by Helevorn, Daylight Misery, Weeping Silence, Doomas, Rising Sunset and Chaotic Remains.

A full programme is available online.

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