After a few years away, playing immaculate shows and gaining well warranted attention worldwide, The Chisel have returned and, like the rest of us, they seem a bit pissed off. Unsurprisingly for a band who have mastered their sound, What A Fucking Nightmare lives up to its 2021 predecessor, Retaliation continuing the fierce infusion of Oi!, street-punk, hardcore and UK82 elements with a smacking of melody that gives The Chisel their exhilarating uniqueness.
What A Fucking Nightmare is a gritty, Britishly aggressive no gimmick approach to punk. Composed of a rather obtuse opener and 15 tracks (most of them not passing the 3 minute mark), this record does not permit any boredom throughout being carefully crafted to chaotically whiplash between fast-paced stompers and singalongs. Needless to say, the bite of this record is further enhanced by vocalist Cal Graham’s bluntly volatile lyrics addressing day-to-day resentments, injustices and dickheads down the pub.
“While we are feeling royally fucked off at the atrocities unfolding, we can’t lose sight of the community and comradery around us. ”
At various points, What A Fucking Nightmare bathes in socially and politically charged, unrestrained aggression. Notably, ‘Fuck ‘Em’, directed at “gobshites and over-opinionated knobheads” and ‘Evil By Evil’ both serve up confrontational rapid assaults of raw, pent up frustration, Cal’s vocals hitting like a hammer, or chisel if you will. However, the album is far from one note and abrasive onslaughts aside, ‘Living For Myself’, ‘Those Days’ and ‘Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet’ deliver uplifting, anthemic moments brimming with tenacious spirit and supplemented by catchy shout-worthy choruses. As fun as these tracks will be to bound around to and belt out, they act as a reminder that while we are feeling royally fucked off at the atrocities unfolding, we can’t lose sight of the community and comradery around us.
What A Fucking Nightmare grows in excellence and innovation as if each track unravels layers of the band. That’s not to say the earlier tracks on this record don’t pack a punch, because they absolutely do, but the last three tracks showcase why they are currently one of the most exciting bands in the UK. ‘What Do You Mean’ continues the intoxicating enthusiasm and vigour heard in earlier songs and ‘Cuts Like A Knife’, a solid, captivating anthem with an unexpected jingle at the end, draws the album to a near close. Finally, the bolshy Rock ‘n’ Roll-esque riff and clobbering piano chord combined with explosive lyrics grappling with exploitative authority figures in ‘What I See’ sends off this record as ominously as it started.
The Chisel capture the blisteringly raw passion and energy that emulates from punk yet this album isn’t just poignant rage amplifying how the majority of us feel right now and gives way to uplifting moments of hope and solidarity. What A Fucking Nightmare is sure to be enjoyed by fans of the genre, the bloke down the pub and probably your dad, unless he’s boring.