Chainflower

Earlier this year, we found ourselves treated to one ferocious blaze of compelling psyche twisting rock ‘n’ roll from US duo Chainflower, and now we have another from the same protagonist to sets ears and passions ablaze. The band’s new scorching persuasion is The Broken & Lovely EP, a thrilling successor to their outstanding and acclaimed self-titled debut EP. It is a two track offering just as impacting and gripping in its blend of varied rock flavours but has something extra to out shine its impressive predecessor. It is an indefinable essence that makes The Broken & Lovely EP eclipse a release whose songs we suspect might have been possibly written and also recorded at the same time as the new EP, but something to help Chainflower’s latest offering reach up to another plateau in songwriting and sound, not forgetting temptation.

Chainflower is the creation of guitarist and songwriter Kelly Wheeler, a veteran of the L.A. music scene who as well as having played with members of Jane’s Addiction and Tool in his career, uncaged his highly praised and supported bands SexTapes and Ultraject, the first which is now on hiatus, featuring long time Guns N’ Roses member Chris Pitman on lead vocals. Uniting with vocalist Erika Renee, who had ‘applied’ for the newly vacant vocalist spot in Ultraject at the time, the pair emerged as Chainflower and quickly got to work on the local live scene whilst joining producer and engineer Doug Grean (Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver, Scott Weiland, Sheryl Crow, Cyndi Lauper) to record that first EP.

A few months on and also recorded with Grean, The Broken & Lovely opens up with Lewd Blues which is instantly bewitching ears with its bluesy, almost intoxicated haze of guitar. Things only get spicier and more gripping as the distinctive tones of Renee unveil their lures and the song’s narrative, punchy beats, and a great grizzled bass tempting provided by Eliot Lorango add to the increasingly magnetic and sizzling seduction on offer. The grooves of Wheeler relentlessly wind around the senses and imagination, perpetually teasing the passions even when switching from a delta blues lined coaxing to seventies psych rock imagination, Renee all the time riding his weaves and sways like a surfer with her delivery.

Second song on the EP is Hell’s Roll; a more predatory stroll again coursing a fuzzy maze of guitar prowess covered by darker shadows conducted by the hefty but controlled swings of guest drummer Brandon Pertzborn. Never elevating from its riveting prowl, the track spins dark rock ‘n’ roll and dirty blues textures into its mystique kissed adventure of sound and vision, firmly holding ears and attention as enthralled as the imagination.

Like an endearingly twisted mix of My Baby, Karn8, and at times Morass of Molasses, both tracks just excite and inspire whilst reinforcing Chainflower as one rather thrilling proposition. - Ringmaster Magazine

Chainflower’s The Broken & Lovely EP begins with Lewd Blues, a track that ties together the sonic assault of Vixen, The Runaways, and Evanescence with the guttural hard rock of White Zombie Taproot. Erika Renee’s vocals are inimitable, not only giving listeners a narrative for the track but establishing further complexity with the interactions that she has with the guitars, bass, and drums heard on Lewd Blues. The band is able to take up a wide array of standards during this introductory track that will appease fans of classic rock, hard rock, and metal.

The churning ferocity that is weaved through Lewd Blues keeps listeners on the edges of their seats, while Hell’s Roll showcases a different side to the band. The dynamic between the drums and guitars pushes each to an entirely higher plateau. These guitars are able to have their time in the spotlight, sizzling in a solo that will permanently tattoo itself upon the minds and hearts of listeners. The great thing about Chainflower is that they give equal time to the vocal and instrumental sides; every facet of the band is able to contribute to the lively one-two punch that is heard here.

With nods to psychedelic rock and the sludgy metal of Deliverance-era Corrosion of Conformity, Hell’s Roll is perhaps our favorite on the EP. The entirety of The Broken & Lovely EP may come and go in the space of seven minutes, but the band puts their heart and soul into the creation of this music. As such, they are able to do more here than acts are able to complete over the course of an album. For more information about Chainflower, add their Facebook.

Top Track: Hell’s Roll
Rating: 8.6/10 - NeuFutur Magazine

Kelly Wheeler (SexTapes, Janes Addiction, Ultraject) has created a new act, Chainflower with singer Erica Renee (A.H.M.A.D.). The band has just released an EP containing two tracks, The Fever and Dissolve in the Sky.

The Fever is a gritty and hard-hitting rock track that possesses a complexity that few tracks in this style have. There are nods to the Detroit rock scene, the eighties goth of Sisters of Mercy, and just enough punk music to keep things going at a breakneck speed. While the track could succeed in the grunge rock heyday and the years immediately after, I feel that the time for this music is right. Chainflower is able to one-up acts like The Pretty Reckless ; create rough and tumble rock music that has enough catchiness to merit some serious rotation on mainstream and hard rock radio stations. The production here allows the guitars to sizzle, the intense vocals, and the splashy drums to shine on their own as well as tattoo the track’s melody deep into the hearts of those listening in.

Dissolve in the Sky refreshes the alternative rock of Belly, L7, and Green Day and recontextualizes it for the current day. Erika Renee’s vocals here pierce through the guitar fuzz to hit listeners hard. The aural sneer of these lryrics is founded on a tradition that begins with Joan Jett and leads through Gwen Stefani and Bif Naked,. The track occupies a much different space than The Fever, meaning that listeners will be able to hear two distinct sides to Chainflower. Interested fans can purchase a copy of the Chainflower EP at the act’s Bandcamp.

Top Track: Dissolve in the Sky
Rating: 8.7/10 - Miews Magazine

The Chainflower EP is packed to the brim with attitude. With a sound reminiscent of the best grunge had to offer, they possess a biting sound that sets them apart from their peers. Every element fits in perfectly: Erika Renee’s dominating voice, the powerful haze of the guitars, alongside the persistent steady rhythm makes it a full-bodied release. By focusing so heavily on repetition they are able to find moments of transcendent beauty within the noisy riffs and pummeling rhythms.

Audio: http://chainflowermusic.com/music

Swaggering forward is the colossal sound of “The Fever”. Here Erika Renee’s sounds ethereal. Kelly Wheeler’s guitar work is phenomenal: sounding as if it takes up multitudes, both cutting to the bone and descending from the sky. Bringing it all together is the lumbering beast of a drummer whose work is of particular note. For the finale they present the collection’s highlight “Dissolve in the Sky”. Here Kelly Wheeler veers from the gigantic to the guitar scrapes. Distortion rules over the piece. Sprawling in scope the piece benefits from the monolithic sound. Volume is a must as the song benefits from the amplification. Halfway through the piece Kelly Wheeler’s semi-guitar solo gives a glimpse of all the chaos that is kept in check throughout the piece. By teasing the listener with the sense of near collapse the song has a fatalistic tone to it.

Far from watered down this is a concentrated dose of grunge following in the path of the greats, and pointing the way towards a grunge revival. - Skope Magazine

Kelly Wheeler, the veteran Los Angeles musician who has worked with numerous prominent acts and most recently on his project with rotating G'N'R member Chris Pitman, SexTapes, has another trick up his sleeve with Chainflower. A pure collaboration between Wheeler and local vocalist Erika Renee. With Wheeler's backround and experience and Renee's powerful voice, the two also discovered a shared angle of approach when it came to the music and the visual art supporting it. With heavy-hitting producer/engineer Doug Grean (Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver, etc) at the helm, Chainflower put together a two-track teaser EP that offers immediate and lasting rewards to the listener.

Each track has a totally different vibe. On "The Fever", the powerful and up-front guitar reminds one very distinctly of Velvet Revolver, while Erika punches home verses that seem to be inspired by the high paced, reckless aspects of modern society. This track is distinct, bombastic, grabs you within seconds and refuses to let go. An apt introduction to the alt/grunge rock that Chainflower bring to the table. The second track, "Dissolve In The Sky" is more of a pure classic grunge track, gritty and fueled by punked riffs and harmonics with Renee more mellow but melodic in her delivery. The variation in styles is impressive, but also cohesive. One can imagine an entire album fluctuating between the two sounds present on Chainflower and see how it would flow with ease.

For Wheeler, Chainflower provides another opportunity to show off his impressive skill set as a guitarist and songwriter, while also giving the up-and-coming Erika Renee an impressive platform to use her powerful and dynamic voice. This tandem has real promise, and with two outstanding single-quaity tracks under their belts, Chainflower have already started to make good on it. - Music Emission

What happens when two powerful forces strike each other? An explosive, high energy, bombastic sound, of course.

Comprised of L.A. music vet, Kelly Wheeler (guitarist and songwriter) and powerhouse vocalist (understatement on ‘powerhouse’) Erika Renee. While the duo is called Chainflower, Wheeler’s path to this project has included collaborations with members from Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Jane’s Addition and more. He’s definitely in his wheelhouse in the two tracks.

In “Fever” the blazing guitar is like a crotch rocket cycle – zipping through sensual, high energy vocals. I imagined this track playing in some sort of chase movie scene, recalling the epic scene from “Terminator 2” with GNR playing “You Could Be Mine.” Alas, “Fever” is an amazing start.

“Dissolve in the Sky” has a piercing chain of guitar events. Renee’s vocals are a perfect companion to Wheeler’s devilish guitar taunts here. I feel silly saying this song is joyful because it’s hard rock and centers on addition, but the lyrics and production are bright with positivity. There’s this strange intensity in Renee’s voice that blankets the monsters.

Just two tracks; two solid home runs. High marks for Chainflower! - HOT INDIE NEWS

Chainflower is not some cliche rock band looking to make a name for themselves in today’s oversaturated indie music scene. Formed by L.A. music scene veteran and respected guitarist/songwriter, Kelly Wheeler, a highly skilled musician who has played and/or worked with members of Jane’s Addiction, Tool, and Guns N’ Roses’ – Chris Pitman. Knowing this, I went in making sure I wasn’t swayed by the fact that Kelly has established himself as a notable music professional in rock and roll, as some might do.

Chainflower (the band) is a duo consisting of Kelly Wheeler and vocalist, Erika Renee. The duo’s EP only offers two songs, but that’s more than enough to establish a strong connection to the band’s rock solid sound. Erika’s powerful voice syncs well with Wheeler’s ear smashing guitars, making for they type of beastly display any rock and roll music fan won’t soon forget. Don’t expect to hear the typical “indie” rock tunes that many bands are doing these days because, if you do you’re going to be highly disappointed. Chainflower is the rock equivalent of smashmouth football, it’s a headbanging good time.

In the end, the two songs on the project – “Fever” and “Dissolve In The Sky” – are awesome songs. I liked “Fever” the most because it just rocked harder than it’s musical bunk mate. From a technical perspective, the mix is awesome, but in certain areas the drive on the guitars at times overpowers the vocals. But, that’s a personal preference thing. That aside, Chainflower and their new self-titled EP rocks big time! - I Am Entertainment Magazine

There is a blaze brewing in alternative rock, an incendiary storm even if their self-titled debut EP is anything to go by, and it goes by the name of Chainflower. How intensive their assault on the rock ‘n’ roll scene will be we will see as it seems more a side project tight now than an on-going rampage, but with offerings like the two songs making up their first provocation, we are in for a gloriously uncompromising ride however things pan out.

Chainflower features guitarist and songwriter Kelly Wheeler, a veteran of the L.A. music scene who has played with members of Jane’s Addiction and Tool. He has also lit ears and appetites with his bands SexTapes and Ultraject, the first which featured long time Guns N’ Roses member Chris Pitman on lead vocals now on hiatus. Also bringing the Chainflower roar is vocalist Erika Renee who had previously performed with previous musical partner, A.H.M.A.D. The pair united when Renee sent Wheeler a video clip of her performing at the Whisky a Go Go, the guitarist looking for a singer after Ultraject’s previous frontman left the band. Though he was looking for a male voice, Renee more than impressed and a meeting/audition was set up. The rest is history and Chainflower the outcome.

Swiftly a powerful live protagonist, the band entered the studio with producer and engineer Doug Grean (Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver, Scott Weiland, Sheryl Crow, Cyndi Lauper) to record the tracks making up the new EP, and the outcome is one ferocious blaze of compelling rock ‘n’ roll which straight away stirs up ears and appetite through its first track, The Fever. A spicy stroking of guitar sets the song in motion, quickly followed by a thick explosive air and the vocal might of Renee. There is an immediate intensity to the sound and weight of the song, as well as a dirty seduction which flows through every riff and enticing bassline. Punchy rhythms make their potent impact across the song too but it is the gripping and powerful tones of Renee which steal the ears and passions. As much as its verses come in a heavy smog of sonic enterprise and energy, the chorus of the song expels a swagger and virulence which easily induces a physical involvement from the listener, its lures like a mix of Spinerette and Stone Temple Pilots with an infectious dash of Eagles of Death Metal. The song is an irresistible proposal, intimidating and invigorating in equal measure and equipped with a healthy dose of antagonistic seducing.

The same description applies to outstanding second track Dissolve In The Sky, though its body has a more welcoming energy until the raw crescendos and expulsions of brawling riffs and bracing intensity. Blues rock flames across the encounter worm under the skin of the song and into the imagination too but not as deeply as the soaring roars of Renee or the addictive enticing of clanging guitar, piercing hooks, and forceful rhythms. Essences of darker rock bands Jess and the Ancient Ones hint away during the track, another appealing additive in the simultaneously caustic and contagiously enticing encounter.

We can only hope that Chainflower is a more active proposal than an interim between other exploits because introductions like their debut release only breed a real hunger for more.

The Chainflower EP is available now @ http://chainflower.bandcamp.com/releases

https://www.facebook.com/Chainflowermusic/ - The RingMaster Review