Review Summary: On their fourth record Holy Moses found themselves at a paradox position. Back into the best direction yet strangely going through the motions as well.
In my review of the band’s previous album, I already wrote an extended paragraph about the difficulties that bands face following their game-changing album. I guess after the more restrained and classic-thrash like approach of “The New Machine of Liechtenstein” even Holy Moses felt, that they need reinvigorate the unrestrained energy and anger in their musical approach to please their fans while also not losing the progression in their songwriting. Their first attempt for this is "World Chaos" which on paper should be the best of both worlds, but in terms of executing that ambition it’s only partially successful.
The opening title track starts of the record very promisingly as its fast paced, straightforward and heavy main riff rips through the speakers like a buldozer. Not only that, but Sabina Classen also quickly shows that she’s in top form on this album. Her raspy, often guttural and angry voice is always one of the main weapon in the band’s arsenal and fortunately most of the time, the rhythm section enforce her as well. Andy Classen’s guitar playing and solos are solid as ever, Thomas Becker’s bass sounds juicy and raw, and Uli Kusch’s drumming is also great. Also the production is also better than their last records. Sharp, surgical, but has enough grit to make it sound distinct from the polished Liechtenstein. However after the speedy opening and the catchy headbanger “Diabolic Plot” the album loses its momentum and shows the main problems.
While most of the songs have faster pacing and a rougher edge than the ones on “The New Machine of Liechtenstein” they lack the hooks and memorable structuring. Songs like “Blood Sucker” and “Education” are very standard thrash affairs that base themselves too much around their choruses and that’s not a good thing if they are not particularly strong. Also the album has a Dead Kennedys cover (“Too Drunk to ***”) which might not add too much to the original but still fun to listen to. Unlike “Guns ‘N’ Moses” which tries a D.R.I.-like thrash parody on Guns ‘N’ Roses but comes off as silly and stupid.
The band pretty much pulls themselves together on the last four songs on the record where they decide to drop the punk influenced “fun” thrash and go straight for the Teutonic styled kill. “Deutschland (Remember the Past)” is a great mid-paced song with a good amount of varied riffing, atmospheric leads and some truly venomous vocals from Sabina. And the closing trio of “Permission to Fire”, “Jungle of Lies” and “Dog Eat Dog” are musically as strong and vicious as Holy Moses has ever been in their entire career. Furious riffs, shredding solos, thunderous drums all come together on these on songs as a musical Blitzkrieg that beats the listener senseless.
Due to the questionable choices in their songwriting “World Chaos” is far from Holy Moses’s finest hour. But despite the missteps it still has enough songs that carry the level of passion, anger and energy that this band is known for and they qualify this record as a well-constructed and listenable exercise of the thrash metal genre. “World Chaos” might show a band still a bit uncertain on which direction they should go but their musical journey doesn’t travel far away from the fist-pumping, adrenalin-fueling roots and that’s what matters.
