Wow! Chat Pile fucking rules. Cool World, Chat Pile’s sophomore album and my introduction to this Oklahoma City quartet, is melting my face off as I write this.

This is a juggernaut of heavy fucking riffs, explosive drums, absolutely killer vocals, and every pick of the bass feels like a kick right in the fucking balls. “Cool World” is an arsenal of experimental influence, from grunge to post-rock to faint influences of post-punk and groove among the nostalgic 90’s throwback that’s this album. And guess what? It ALL fits fucking WONDERFULLY! And while every song on “Cool World” has its own unique quality, pain seems to be the common denominator throughout the entire album.

Raygun Busch’s vocal approach is truly captivating. His range is outstanding, often projecting some form of madness in his execution. And the music, the
ultimate soundtrack, backs his wails of despair.

“I Am Dog Now” is the album’s opener, and truly sets the stage for what’s to come. It’s raw, it’s dirty, and reminiscent to the grittiness and thunder that Swans delivers in “Children of God”.

“Shame” follows with a less morose feel, without having steered off the rails of depression by any means. Its grunge flavour is present, with a melodic hook that screams flannel and ripped jeans.

“Milk of Human Kindness” is among the slower and sludgier pieces with an almost goth overtone, which carries on to the final track “No Way Out”, invoking a
dirge similar to the more anguishing sounds of Type O Negative’s “Slow Deep and Hard” and Carnivore’s “Retaliation”.

Chat Pile has definitely covered all the bases that tickle my fancy. The album in full is a great fucking listen, and I can’t wait to hear this beast live.

Order Cool World by Chat Pile HERE