Beginning life as a band who left an intriguing trail of singles, Nottingham’s Chaos Bleak stepped up to the album format effortlessly, releasing two studio outings (reviewed here and here) that could slot into the “classic” category quite effortlessly. Now signed to the über-cool Seventh Hell Recordings label, it’s a union which finds Chaos Bleak upping the ante somewhat to deliver an impressive array of bombastic tunes that sets an impossibly high standard, not only for themselves, but for all those who follow.

While it is undeniably true that you can’t judge a book by its cover (or an album by its sleeve), that which houses Assassins Of Silence is indicative of the new level Chaos Bleak have attained. Of the three Chaos Bleak studio albums, this is the band’s best designed and while our focus should always be on the music, in our age of Instagram such details are important. Then a cursory listen to opening couplet (intro ‘UFO Over Aspley’ and the following ‘Emerald’) will tell you that this is the best the band have ever sounded. The band’s love of Killing Joke meant they’ve always packed a hefty punch, yet that’s now turned into a rain of blows from a heavyweight boxer. Long term fans needn’t worry as there’s been no radical overhaul; it’s the same musicians peddling the same goth-infused post-punk, yet the incremental tweaks render the band a more dangerous beast and you can almost feel the waves of aggro radiating from tracks such as ‘Valiant Thor’.

Eschewing guitar solos in favour of a riff heavy attack renders ‘The Serpent Sheds Its Skin’ (and, indeed, the whole album) a pummelling affair, whilst glacial sheets of synths creates a forcefield, a wall of impenetrability (not unlike Superman’s Fortress Of Solitude). The bass is boisterous, like an unruly child all hopped up on sugar, whilst vocalist Piers delivers a solid performance, inhabiting songs such as ‘Haunted Fairground’ and making them three-dimensional. Both Musically and lyrically, Assassins Of Silence is probably the darkest and most oppressive album the band have released, yet there’s still moments of light, the band’s humour (dark, obviously) shining through, along with references to retro sci-fi permeating the songs (don’t be surprised if you bump into the band at a Doctor Who convention). But mostly this album serves up a hard-boiled selection of songs that are tailor made for civil disobedience and unrest in the streets.

Another brief instrumental to bookend the album, ‘A Saucer Of Light’ finds the band departing as if they really are extra terrestrials, leaving behind a musical crop circle and one that’ll continue to intrigue.

• Assassins Of Silence is released via Seventh Hell Recordings on 19th December 2025.
• Bandcamp | Facebook | Nightbreed Recordings | YouTube Channel

Track List:

1. UFO Over Aspley
2. Emerald
3. Lost Weekend
4. Valiant Thor
5. False Prophet
6. The Serpent Sheds Its Skin
7. Wheels Of Tomorrow
8. Haunted Fairground
9. A Man Of Great Renown
10. Courtesy Bullet
11. Locked On Target
12. End Of Aeons Come
13. Absent Friends
14. A Saucer Of Light