Formed in 2018 by TJ Lemieux and completed by bassist George Camacho, guitarist Doug Stuckey, and drummer Joe Herzog, LA’s Deathchant are a metal band with a joyous twist. That might seem antithetical to the band’s name, but the result is a brand of metal that’s both authentic and accessible, and which incorporates elements from all across the genre’s spectrum—there’s a bit of sludge, some jubilant guitar solos, and a healthy dose of psychedelia to boot.
All of that is in play on the four-piece’s new single, “Chariot,” which is taken from the band’s upcoming third full-length, Thrones. Both the single and the record as a whole highlight the band’s ability to infuse darkness with light (or, perhaps, light with darkness) while simultaneously conveying some heavy, erudite, and philosophical themes. Interestingly, while “Chariot” confronts ideas of isolation and existential angst, it also provides a good deal of hope and comfort—even if it’s just because it serves as a reminder that whatever deep, dark, and disturbing thoughts you have, you’re not alone in having them. “‘Chariot’ is about loss and fear of one’s inevitable fate while simultaneously flirting with expediting fate and dancing with death,” Lemieux explains. “It’s about pushing boundaries and feeding one’s paranoia.”
Lose yourself and dance with that despair while watching its video below. Thrones is out October 13 on RidingEasy Records—pre-order it here.
