What do you get when you put in the 'Metal Mixer' the following ingredients: In The Woods, Green Carnation, Carpathian Forest and Trail Of Tears? I guess, no happy Double-Bass European Power or majestic Symphonic Ethereal Female-d Gothic-like Metal but the possibility to collect our bones from the floor, after nearly 20 minutes of... what? Let's see...
Chain Collector was formed in Norway in 2003. Consisting of singer Kjetil Nordhus (Green Carnation & Trail Of Tears), drummer Anders Kobro (Green Carnation, Carpathian Forest & In The Woods), guitarist Goran Bomann (Carpathian Forest), guitarist Kjell Jacobsen and Endre Kirkesola on session bass/keyboards (also in Green Carnation previously), the band recorded the Forthcoming Addiction demo in DUB Studio (Green Carnation, Blood Red Throne, Carpathian Forest etc). The demo was produced by Endre Kirkesola and the band's aim was - I suppose - to gain a record deal. Obviously, they found it in the hands of Portugese label Sound Riot (a two-album deal is said to have been obtained) and their yet-untitled official debut CD will be soon available.
To the music: Forthcoming Addiction features a modern heavy sound - which is not what I'm mostly familiar with - with powerful melodies and staple structure. The musicians perform in a good level and the chemistry between them seems given after all these years of previous experience. The truth is that anyone who expects something e.g. Carpathian-like will be fairly disappointed, as the band's style is more similar to the likes of bands as e.g. Disturbed or Slipknot. Still, traditional riffs appear here and there and - along with some more crossover moments - give a surely not uninteresting final result.
The production is of course below the normal North European standards - don't forget we 're talkin' 'bout a demo recording. Still, the band's debut album - whenever it is available - will give the chance for a more mature clearing up for this promising (for the specific style) outfit. 'Till then...