A New Doctrine of Metal: Chaos Doctrine Talks Triple Release and Breaking Boundaries
Chaos Doctrine has been shaking the foundations of thrash, death, and industrial metal since their formation over a decade ago. Known for their brutal sound and thought-provoking lyrics, the band’s music delves deep into themes of decay, brutality, and defiance. With a triple release on 28 February, featuring three distinct tracks – ‘The SA-bbath Doctrine Chapter III: SA Tribute Mix’, ‘The Rite (Devil Divas and Harps Remix)’, and ‘The Rite Verse II’ – Chaos Doctrine is set to captivate both old and new fans. We caught up with the band to discuss the release, their journey, and the future of their unique blend of metal.
Photo By Jaco Vermaak
Q: Based in South Africa and formed in 2011, your music has evolved significantly over the years. How would you describe the musical journey of Chaos Doctrine so far?
Chaos Doctrine: Thank you so much for having us and for this special feature. We truly appreciate you taking the time to engage with us! Our musical journey has been both interesting and exciting, and we are determined that it always will be. When we started this band, our intention was very much to create a powerful old-school feel, strongly influenced by the classic bands we grew up with, while blending in just enough industrial elements to produce a new and fresh sound. Over the years, we have consistently pushed those boundaries further, continually expanding the ‘Chaos Doctrine sound’. Whether it is incorporating elements we have never used before, venturing into sub-genres of metal we have not previously explored, or significantly dialling some elements up (or down), we are always keen to see where an idea takes us.
To illustrate this, our debut was very much classic raw old-school metal, clearly influenced by the thrash and death metal greats, along with industrial pioneers such as Ministry and White Zombie. Our second album, ‘And in the Beginning … They Lied’, began to deviate from that trajectory, incorporating tracks like ‘The Rite’ (which we will discuss in detail later, I am sure), ‘Harlot’ and ‘Christ Church Horizon’, each exploring different sub-genres. Our third album, ‘Bellum’, started pushing the envelope even further, embracing fresh experiments that include more goth-metal, hard-edged industrial, symphonic black metal, extreme death metal, and even a considerable amount of groove.
Q: Your music combines thrash, death, and industrial metal, all with a unique twist. What was the driving force behind blending these genres, and how do you feel it sets you apart from other bands in the metal scene?
Chaos Doctrine: Blending thrash/death with industrial was the brainchild of Dr D (vocals), who started Chaos Doctrine with the original intent of doing something like a heavier Rob Zombie. In the end, we turned out quite a bit heavier and decidedly less pop, but the root inspiration remains. The unique twist you mention is precisely what sets us apart, isn’t it? (laughs) Seriously though, what likely makes us unique is that we refuse to be confined by any single genre of metal. There is only one rule in the band when it comes to a new piece of music – all band members must genuinely like it. That ensures we maintain our cohesion, our chemistry, and our distinctive sound. Whether we are playing 200 bpm thrash metal as on ‘Lifting the Veil’, clean vocals with big symphonies as on ‘Martyr’, or sludge as on ‘The Rite’, it always sounds distinctly Chaos Doctrine. Wherever we go from here, that will remain.
Q: Your triple release on 28 February includes three very distinct tracks. Can you break down what fans can expect from each of them, and how they fit into the overall narrative or theme of the band’s journey?
Chaos Doctrine: We haven’t released any new singles since April 2024, when we launched our album ‘Bellum’. So, instead of simply throwing out another track from ‘Bellum’, we decided to put together a meaty triple release – simultaneously giving our fans something brand new, showcasing new experiments in the Chaos Camp, and announcing that our long-awaited second EP, ‘The Chaos Chronicles Vol II’, is on its way!
The first part is a momentous release for us – something we are incredibly proud of. This is the first of its kind ever released in South Africa: a collaborative tribute to Black Sabbath. We will talk more about this later!
The second part needs some backstory. Our back catalogue is a testament to our love for alternative versions of our songs, as well as collaborations. For example, after our debut album, we released ‘The Chaos Chronicles Vol I’, which contains alternative versions of four tracks from that debut. Since then, we have also produced a Russian version of ‘Father Grigori’ (the first single from our second album) and a remix of ‘Martyr’ (from our third album) featuring female vocals expertly delivered by Capgras Delusion’s Laura Cayzer.
While we were working on our second album, we thought, wouldn’t ‘The Rite’ sound cool with female vocals? And what if we added a harmonica?’ So, we got in touch with some friends, and thus, ‘The Rite (Devil Divas and Harps Remix)’ was born!
Finally, the third part of the release is called ‘The Rite Verse II’. While writing this song, we quickly realised that its sludgy nature made it the perfect sequel to ‘The Rite’. So, while it is a brand-new track, the lyrics build on the narrative of the original, as do the samples used.
What is great about this triple release is that it shows once again that we are not afraid to venture into uncharted territory. Our last single, ‘Heretic’, was a death metal monster, laden with blast beats and shredding guitars. This time, it is vastly different – we give you female lead vocals, a harmonica and a Hammond B3. Yet, it is still unmistakably Chaos Doctrine, reflecting the diversity yet coherence of our auditory identity. Not to mention, we are honoured that so many great musicians agreed to work with us on the Black Sabbath tribute!
Q: ‘The Rite’ is one of your latest tracks and has had a significant impact on listeners. How did that song come together, and what themes or messages are you hoping to convey through it?
Chaos Doctrine: ‘The Rite’ originally featured on our second album. It was never released as a single simply because we had so many tracks that were more reflective of our dominant style at the time (think ‘Father Grigori’, ‘Black Friday Bedlam’ – which features Swedish legend Jörgen Sandström – and ‘Blood Serpent God’, featuring Russian Metal Diva extraordinaire Anna Hel). However, it has become a staple of our live set and a firm fan favourite. Listeners seem particularly drawn to the transition from a fat groove to the filthy, aggressive industrial sound the track achieves – we often tell people that ‘The Rite’ is what would happen if Clutch and Fear Factory had an ugly love child!
So, here is the history and what you are getting this time around … ‘The Rite (Devil Divas and Harps Remix)’ is a complete re-take on the original. We re-recorded all the instruments and the overall mix and removed much of the original’s industrial elements to produce a more old-school feel. We then introduced the amazing vocals of Bronwyn Bing (ex-Apocalypse Later), who did a fantastic job of altering the vibe of the track while maintaining its sinister undertone. Our nickname for her in the studio was ‘Evil Dolly Parton’! Finally, we brought in the bona fide blues master, Craig MacKinnon, whose harmonica (or ‘harp’, as true blues aficionados prefer) is played as if the Devil himself had tuned the instrument – resulting in something both fresh and special.
‘The Rite Verse II’ is a sequel that picks up where the original left off. It uses some of the same lyrics and samples to create continuity but introduces a host of new elements to complete the sordid tale of the original.
We often embed messages in our songs – at least in those that aren’t purely a history lesson (laughs). We particularly enjoy exploring the underbelly of the human condition (we do play extreme metal, after all!) and encourage a bit of critical thinking. With ‘The Rite’, however, we were simply having fun. When we originally wrote the song back in 2019, we listened to its groovy, sludgy vibe and immediately decided that there was only one lyrical theme to accompany it: selling your soul to the Devil at the crossroads.
Since this is metal, however, there is a darker twist: the price the protagonist must pay for fame, fortune, and eternal youth is to collect souls. What makes the remix especially intriguing is that a female voice now tells the story, with the harmonica wailing throughout to create an ever-present sense of malevolence. People tend to assume the Devil is into metal – they are mistaken. The Devil is into delta blues!
Q: Given that you’re based in Johannesburg, South Africa, how does the local environment and culture influence your music, both in terms of lyrical content and overall sound?
Chaos Doctrine: Our local environment, culture, and country probably influence our music much less than the world at large does. Our sound and themes are considerably more universal, rather than being specific to where we are from – and that is likely more by design than we have realised. In fact, we even enjoy dabbling in other cultures. For example, ‘Father Grigori’ references the Russian monk Rasputin, ‘Blood Serpent God’ draws on South American blood sacrifices and the ancient alien narrative, ‘Heretic’ alludes to the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten, and ‘The Destroyer’ mentions the Hindu god, Shiva. This approach has contributed significantly to the great response we have received from countries far removed from our own.
Q: Your band is known for having a strong visual identity. How important is the visual aspect of your music, and how does it complement the intensity of your sound?
Chaos Doctrine: Absolutely. From the moment this band was conceived, we knew that everything we do would be supported by a strong visual identity. Chaos Doctrine is not just a band; it is a brand, and every aspect is deliberate. We believe that music becomes far more powerful when it is associated with strong images and a distinct colour palette. When we perform live, we ensure that our visual identity is present on stage, enhancing the overall experience.
Phil, our bass guitarist, is the visual genius within the band. He consistently produces artwork that directly reflects the spirit and intent of our music. Although there are times when we give Phil a day off (laughs) and collaborate with other talented South African artists – for example, Ras Steyn, who created the artwork for the single ‘One of My Bad Days’, and Lisa Botes, who worked on the art for ‘Martyr’.
Q: Industrial metal often deals with dark, dystopian themes. Are there any events, experiences, or personal philosophies that inspire the thematic direction of your work?
Chaos Doctrine: You hit the nail on the head. In fact, ‘dystopian’ is a term we frequently use to describe the themes that permeate our artwork and lyrics. It is a concept that undoubtedly inspires our industrial and symphonic elements, creating a sense of discomfort.
We invest considerable effort in ensuring that our themes remain fresh – particularly to keep pace with the constant experimentation in our music. Inspiration comes from everywhere; whether we draw on ancient and modern history or address contemporary societal issues, there is always an element of darkness that reflects the human condition. ‘Lucky’ for us, the world is in such a state that it is never hard to find a topic for a compelling metal song! Personal philosophy is certainly another rich source of inspiration, but perhaps we should leave that discussion for the next interview (laughs).
Q: As a band that has pushed boundaries with your music, what has been the most challenging aspect of maintaining your identity while continuing to experiment with sound and concepts?
Chaos Doctrine: Ironically, and at the risk of sounding a little cocky, maintaining our identity and sound has never been a difficulty. It is probably due to the rule we mentioned earlier – if all four of us like an idea, then it will always be Chaos Doctrine. It is as though checks and balances are built into our system. One of us might come up with a groove that sounds reminiscent of Gothenburg or 90s Florida death metal, but once it is refined collectively, it becomes uniquely us. Or perhaps the name ‘Chaos Doctrine’ simply allows us the freedom to experiment without constraint? (laughs) … The real challenge is finding enough time to fully explore and refine our ideas. We have such a backlog of material that we even ponder what it would sound like if Chaos Doctrine did djent!
Q: With the release of ‘The SA-Bbath Doctrine Chapter III: SA Tribute Mix’, there’s a strong tribute to Black Sabbath’s iconic legacy, well-timed ahead of the band’s final show. How does this influence the significance of your third instalment? Additionally, with the collaboration of South African artists on this track, what do you hope fans will experience when they hear these unique blends of international and local talent coming together in tribute to one of metal’s greatest pioneers?
Chaos Doctrine: A bit of backstory here: all four of us are huge Black Sabbath fans. I mean, who isn’t? (laughs) Last year, we finally brought forward a project that had been in the making for around four years: two versions of a Black Sabbath medley, called ‘The Sabbath Doctrine Chapter I (Old School Mix)’ and ‘Chapter II (Chaos Mix)’. Each consists of nine of our favourite Sabbath tracks – the former taking a classic approach, and the latter featuring an industrial remix, essentially receiving the full Chaos Doctrine treatment.
This time, we are releasing Chapter III, titled ‘The SA-Bbath Doctrine Chapter III: SA Tribute Mix’ (with SA referring, of course, to South Africa). We enlisted some of our favourite rock and metal musicians to contribute, so that each track features a different combination of vocalists. These include Carlos Sanches (Deadline), Jamie Hendry (Jasper Dan), Laura Cayzer (Capgras Delusion, who also featured on ‘Martyr’), Bronwyn Bing (ex-Apocalypse Later, also on ‘The Rite’), Charl du Plessis (Nerve Zero, Sacrifist), Buchanan Marais (Nachtegal), Aiden Morris and Jaz de Wet (State Dependency), and Ryno Theron and Renz Kruger (Truth Decayed).
It is remarkable that this release coincides with the 55th anniversary of Black Sabbath’s debut album and their final show, which had just been announced. For us, it feels almost fated to be released in 2025. Our hope is that fans simply enjoy this humble tribute, and that they continue to be in awe of the titans that are Black Sabbath. There will never be another band like them!
Q: Looking ahead to ‘The Chaos Chronicles Vol II’, which is set to release later this year, what are some of the band’s goals for this new phase of your musical journey? How do you plan to build on the sound and themes explored in your upcoming triple release, and continue pushing the boundaries of Chaos Doctrine’s distinct blend of thrash, death, and industrial metal?
Chaos Doctrine: We were initially set to release ‘The Chaos Chronicles Vol II’ in 2024 (with Vol I having hit the shelves in 2019), but somewhere along the line we decided to focus on ‘Bellum’ instead. That turned out to be a fortuitous decision, as it allowed us to be much more discerning about what we wanted to include.
Originally, Vol II would have contained only collaborative tracks – for example, the Russian version of ‘Father Grigori’, an alternative mix of ‘Martyr’, and the remix of ‘The Rite’ mentioned earlier. However, while working on ‘Bellum’, we continued to amass more material, ultimately leaving us with much more to choose from. Consequently, while Vol I consisted of just four tracks, Vol II will be considerably more expansive.
This release will offer listeners a comprehensive Chaos Doctrine experience, beginning with demos from our early days, moving through alternative mixes (many of which include collaborations) and live versions of some of our well-known songs, and concluding with demos of brand-new tracks. In this way, Vol II pays homage to our past while hinting at our future.
However, this release will not reveal the entirety of our future direction. To discover that, you will have to stay close – we are already planning what comes after ‘The Chaos Chronicles Vol II’, and it promises to be new, fresh, different, and, naturally, very heavy! While our roots will always be deeply embedded in industrialised thrash/death metal, we will continue to relentlessly push the boundaries of this genre in every direction our creativity takes us.
Finally, thank you very much for such a probing interview filled with excellent, relevant, and original questions. We truly appreciate your thoughtful support!
We also thank Chaos Doctrine for giving us the opportunity to delve deeply into their music, career, and new triple release. As they continue to carve out their place in the metal world, their music stands as a testament to their unwavering commitment to innovation and intensity. Their new release promises to push the boundaries of metal further than ever before. For fans, this new chapter will not only deepen their connection to the band’s sound but also offer an unflinching glimpse into the darkness and aggression that shape their music. Keep an eye on this South African powerhouse as they continue to disrupt and redefine the metal scene.
- All Links https://linktr.ee/chaosdoctrine
- Website https://www.devographic.com/chaos-doctrine
- YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/ChaosDoctrine
- Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ChaosDoctrine
- Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chaosdoctrine
- Bandcamp https://chaosdoctrine.bandcamp.com
Feature Photo Credit Wayde Flowerday Photography
