Children of Chrome
Children of Chrome is the debut studio album by Australian metalcore band Void of Vision, released on 30 September 2016 by UNFD. It was produced by Ocean Grove's drummer Sam Bassal and recorded at Hydra Rehearsal Studios, Victoria.[1][2] It peaked in the top 60 of the ARIA Albums Chart.[3]
Children of Chrome | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 30 September 2016 | |||
Recorded | 2016 | |||
Studio | Hydra Rehearsal Studios, Burwood, VIC | |||
Genre | Metalcore, nu metal | |||
Length | 31:14 | |||
Label | UNFD | |||
Producer | Sam Bassal | |||
Void of Vision chronology | ||||
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Singles from Children of Chrome | ||||
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Singles and promotion
To promote their debut album, Void of Vision set up a national tour organised by Destroy All Lines. They performed in Fitzroy, Adelaide, Footscray, Sydney, Newcastle, and Woolloongabba from 21–30 October.[4] The first single of the album, "Sunrise" (stylised as "Sun//Rise") and its accompanying music video were released to YouTube on 18 June 2015, garnering over 73,000 views to date.[5] Their second single from the album, "//" featuring guest vocals by Drew York, was released on 5 September 2016. Its music video has since accumulated over 95,000 views on YouTube.[6] Their third and final single from the album, "Ctrl Freak" was released on 29 September, a day before the album's release. Its music video has since been viewed over 23,000 times.[7]
Writing and composition
All songs were written by frontman Jack Bergin with additional input from guitarist James McKendrick and producer Sam Bassal.[8] Drew York from the American hardcore band Stray from the Path was featured on the single "//". The album was also described as being different from their previous singles, it was noted that elements of nu metal had made its way into the album. UNFD describes the album as being a "statement for people who give a fuck in a world intoxicated by power, greed and hatred."[9]
The single "Ctrl Freak" was described by Bergin as "refer[ing] to anyone using the internet as a faux pedestal for themselves. Mainly [...] the 'social justice warriors' out there who associate social status negatively with empathy for real world issues, practically exploiting them."[10]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AAA Backstage | [11] |
KillYourStereo | 60/100[12] |
Metal Hammer | [13] |
The album received mixed reviews. Nick Dominko of KillYourStereo praised the first few tracks on the albums but called the rest "sadly forgettable." He then noted that fans of Ocean Grove, Northlane, Earth Caller may enjoy it.[12] AAA Backstage gave the album a more favourable review, however stated: "…it’s regrettable that Void of Vision were unable to capture the fury and emotional intensity they had clearly demonstrated throughout the album and produce a powerful ending."[11] In a positive review from Metal Hammer they commented: "If [Void of Vision] find a way to combine, rather than compartmentalise, these contrasting sides then they could be huge."[13]
Track listing
Track listing adapted from Spotify.[14] Writers from APRA AMCOS.[15]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "//" (featuring Drew York) | Jack Bergin, Mitchell Farlie, James McKendrick, George Pfaendner, Matthew Guy Thompson | 3:08 |
2. | "Blacklist" | Bergin, Farlie, McKendrick, Pfaendner, Thompson | 2:35 |
3. | "Ctrl Freak" | Bergin, Farlie, McKendrick, Pfaendner, Thompson | 3:28 |
4. | "The Hills" | Bergin, Farlie, McKendrick, Pfaendner, Thompson, Samuel Bassal | 2:33 |
5. | "In Black & White" | Bergin, Farlie, McKendrick, Pfaendner, Thompson, Bassal | 2:15 |
6. | "As Above, So Below" | Bergin, Farlie, McKendrick, Thompson | 2:02 |
7. | "Wallow" | Bergin, Farlie, McKendrick, Pfaendner, Thompson, Bassal | 3:12 |
8. | "Under Skin" | Bergin, Farlie, McKendrick, Pfaendner, Thompson | 1:20 |
9. | "Sunrise" | Bergin, Farlie, McKendrick, Thompson, Bassal | 3:24 |
10. | "Red Handed" | Bergin, Farlie, McKendrick, Pfaendner, Thompson | 2:57 |
11. | "Fair-Weather" | Bergin, Farlie, McKendrick, Pfaendner, Thompson, Bassal | 4:13 |
Total length: | 31:14 |
Personnel
- Void of Vision
- Jack Bergin - vocals
- James McKendrick - lead guitar, backup vocals
- Mitch Fairlie - rhythm guitar
- George Murphy - drums
- Matt Thompson - bass
- Other musicians
- Drew York - guest vocals on "//"
- Production
- Sam Bassal - producer
References
- "AMA: We're Void Of Vision, a band from Melbourne..." (Reddit AMA). 4 October 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
- "AMA: We're Void Of Vision, a band from Melbourne..." (Reddit AMA). 4 October 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
- Wallace, Ian (10 October 2016). "Week Commencing ~ 10th October 2016 ~ Issue #1389" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (1289): 2, 5, 7, 15, 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- "Void Of Vision Talk Us Through The Call-To-Arms That Is 'Children Of Chrome'". The Neversphere. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
- Elevnth (4 September 2016). "VOID OF VISION - 'SUN//RISE' OFFICIAL VIDEO". Retrieved 5 February 2019 – via YouTube.
- UNFD (4 September 2016). "Void Of Vision - // (feat. Drew York of Stray From The Path) [Official Music Video]". Retrieved 5 February 2019 – via YouTube.
- UNFD (29 September 2016). "Void of Vision - Ctrl Freak [Official Music Video]". Retrieved 5 February 2019 – via YouTube.
- "AMA: We're Void Of Vision, a band from Melbourne..." (Reddit AMA). 4 October 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
- "Void of Vision Sign to UNFD, Announce Debut Album". UNFD Central. 5 September 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
- "AMA: We're Void Of Vision, a band from Melbourne..." (Reddit AMA). 4 October 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
- "Album Review: Void of Vision 'Children of Chrome'". AAA Backstage. 30 September 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
- Dominko, Nick (29 September 2016). "Void Of Vision – Children of Chrome". Kill Your Stereo. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
- Barbour, Rob (4 October 2016). "Void Of Vision album review – Children Of Chrome". Metal Hammer. Louder Sound. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
- "Children of Chrome by Void Of Vision on Spotify". Retrieved 5 February 2019.
- "'/ /' at APRA search engine". APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association, Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society). Retrieved 8 August 2020. Note: For additional work user may have to select 'Search again' and then 'Enter a title:' &/or 'Performer:'