UMUR "Where Chaos Thrives" is the third full-length studio album by Danish, Frederikshavn based death metal act Chronicle. The album was released through Mighty Music in May 2023. It´s the successor to "Demonology" from March 2020 and unlike what happened when "Demonology" came out almost simoultaniously with the COVID-19 lockdown, Chronicle got the opportunity to tour in support of "Where Chaos Thrives". "Where Chaos Thrives" features nine tracks and two unlisted bonus tracks, which are the two songs from the October 2021 "Undivided" single.

Chronicle again (like they did on "Demonology") tapped producer Tue Madsen to produce, mix, and master "Where Chaos Thrives" at his Antfarm Studios, and if I had a few minor complaints regarding the drum tone on "Demonology" those complaints are completely gone when listening to "Where Chaos Thrives", which is a very well produced release, providing Chronicle´s music with the perfect platform to shine.

Stylistically it suits Chronicle to add a little more brutality and growling vocals to their music, which they of course had done gradually over the last couple of releases, but it works really well here along with the more dominant blackened snarling vocals. The instrumental part of the music is dynamic with varied tempi, which means both fast-paced sections, mid-paced sections, and slower sections (although not too many of the latter). The lead guitar themes and solos are incredibly well thought out and performed.

So upon conclusion "Where Chaos Thrives" is without a doubt the best quality release from Chronicle up until now, but if I have to make one minor complaint it would be that they don´t really produce music that is particularly unique sounding. You can hear a lot of influences from other melodic death metal artists (past- and present) and if they could conquer that last border and create more original sounding music they have both the songwriting and playing skills to travel even further. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Demonology" is the second full-length studio album by Danish, Frederikshavn based death metal act Chronicle. The album was released through Mighty Music in March 2020. It marks the first time Chronicle has released anything through a label, as all previous releases were independent releases. It´s been almost four years since the release of the "Memento Mori" EP from December 2016 but the intermediate years have been spend wisely. Unfortunately for Chronicle "Demonology" was released almost simoultaniously with the COVID-19 lockdown and they therefore had to wait for a long time to tour in support of the album.

"Demonology" is just the right push forward that Chronicle needed to enter the contemporary Danish death metal elite, which makes it even more a pain in the arse that they couldn´t tour in support of the album immediately after its release. The core melodic death metal sound of the early releases is still in place and the variation between blackened snarling vocals and aggressive growling vocals which was introduced on the "Memento Mori" EP is also continued here.

It´s audible on all parameters that Chronicle have moved forward and developed their music, which is now more memorable, powerful, and full of interesting melodic lead guitar themes, but "Demonology" also features a pretty well sounding production job (although I could have wished for the drums to feature a heavier punch) courtesy of Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studios, who is responsible for producing, mixing, and mastering "Demonology".

Chronicle can rightfully be proud of "Demonology" and the development which they went through to get to the point where they could produce a good quality release like this. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Memento Mori" is an EP release by Danish, Frederikshavn based death metal act Chronicle. The EP was independently released in December 2016 and bridges the gap between Chronicle´s debut- and sophomore studio albums "Primordial Fear" from November 2015 and "Demonology" from March 2020.

While continuing their core melodic death metal style (by now having ditched most of their early thrash metal influences) "Memento Mori" still shows a more professional sounding and mature Chronicle. Lead vocalist/guitarist Lars Bo Nepper has now spiced up his blackened snarling vocals with some aggressive growling vocals, and the more varied vocal approach is a great asset to the band´s sound. A better quality sound production than on the early releases is also a big plus, and as the musicianship has also become tighter and the performances stronger, "Memento Mori" definitely comes off as a good quality melodic death metal release.

5 tracks distributed over a 27:39 minutes long playing time is what you get and therefore there´s both enough quantity and quality here to warrant a purchase. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.

UMUR "Primordial Fear" is the debut full-length studio album by Danish, Frederikshavn based death metal act Chronicle. The album was independently released in November 2015. It succeeds the "Welcome the Darkness" EP from July 2014, which was the band´s first official release.

Chronicle´s core melodic death metal style with occasional thrash metal leanings is intact on "Primordial Fear" although the pace has generally been increased, which was a good choice as the higher tempos provide the music with more power and drive. Chronicle still understand that variation is the key though and the tracks always feature different tempi (also slower parts) and atmosphere enhancing lead guitar work, to ensure that the tracks are kept interesting. The vocals are blackened snarling and the sandpaper raw delivery works well with the instrumental part of the band´s music.

The sound production is not perfect, but it´s of a pretty decent quality. The drums sound a little thin and there are a few other details which could have been better, but it is a step up from the production on "Welcome the Darkness" and if it was a goal to move forward and produce something better both in terms of production values, songwriting, and more tight performances, Chronicle have certainly succeeded in doing just that with "Primordial Fear". It´s not the most unique sounding melodic death metal release, but it´s a solid release which is enjoyable from start to end. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.

UMUR "Welcome the Darkness" is an EP release by Danish, Frederikshavn based death metal act Chronicle. The EP was independently released in July 2014 and it´s the band´s first release. The original CD version of the EP was limited to no more than 50 copies, but "Welcome the Darkness" is of course also available in digital form.

Stylistically Chronicle play a hybrid blackened melodic death metal/thrash metal style. The vocals are blackened snarling and the instrumental part of the music features elements from both melodic death metal but also some unmistakably thrasy riffing and rhythms (EP opener "Hell Is for Heroes" is the most valid example of that).

Considering that "Welcome the Darkness" is Chronicle´s first release (no demos from these guys), it´s a well produced EP. The band´s songwriting still needed a bit more maturing, but they obviously have the skills to develop their style further on future releases. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.