Formed just five year back, the UK's very own DESIGNS OF CHAOS have seen their fair share of gigging, but made their studio debut just two years ago with their well acclaimed EP "The Chaos Engine"; soon after which there came a frequent stream of live performances along with the writing of fresh material, which would lead to the recent release of this three-track EP, titled "Darkest Storm". DESIGNS OF CHAOS' brand new EP, off the bat, sounds fantastic! The production is rich, providing ear-throbbing bass pulses backed by solid use of double kicks throughout.

The EP's opener "Darkest Storm" does a great job in delivering maximum aggression while maintaining catchy and progressive rhythms courtesy of Andy Bramley's killer kicks. The passive-aggressive guitar work delivered jointly by Javier Gedeon and Dean Robson is though-provoking at stages, but ear-crushingly brutal at others. Vocal work on this one, I found, could have been stronger. Though frontman Jay Shields emits a powerful thrust of energy from his voice, it soon becomes fleeting once the backing vocals are played alongside him. I almost forgot whose voice was fronting for a moment. Overall powerful and rich delivery in this one.

Press releases claim that enjoyers of groups like LAMB OF GOD, AS I LAY DYING etc. will find DESIGNS OF CHAOS to be similar in technique and musical delivery. And I can definitely see those resemblances in "Social Phantom" which has its share of groovy, impressionable kick work delivered adeptly by Bramley to the memorable riff work of Robson and Gedeon who kick it in the balls with memorable melodies and well executed harmonies between both guitars. An absolute face melter this one! Last on this so-far beautiful three track EP, there comes "Strength in Numbers" and much like "Social Phantom" this one delivers its share of fast-paced melodic aggression and interwoven guitar harmonies at various stages reminiscent of riding into battle on horseback with DOC laced across a banner. This one leaves a battleground of blood and brutality in its wake.

DESIGNS OF CHAOS' new EP delivers a constant and destructive stream of domination and I would definitely recommend this as a listen for lovers of all-things groove, trash and Hell-like because this one burns.