Chaos All Stars - I Need It All

'I Need It All' is the long awaited debut album from Swedish Chaos All Stars. The core members OlkK and Nik generally have other collaborators in their doings, and here Kari Berg (known from Ashbury Heights) are performing on some of the tracks.

It feels a bit weak with only 7 original tracks on an album, filled up with 6 remixes to give it some extra time. Just slightly manages to go over the bar for not being considered an EP. I do not care so much for the remixes, even though the dance floor suiting remix by Psy'Aviah of "We Are The Sinners" and the remix of "Volcano" by Ad Inferna are exceptions.

Where we want to keep our focus on, and where Chaos All Stars actually impress, are on the original tracks. Blending EBM and Electro makes it a varied experience keeping you interested. The opening track "Volcano" hits the exactly right nerves and brings news of an impressive forthcoming, only to be shot down by the oddly misplaced "The Iron Sky" that feels like 80's folk metal dressed in electronic clothing. Actually, even more out of place than the cover of The Overlord's "World Raid".

Luckily, with my ability to ignore it and Chaos All Stars getting their selves together and deliver on the next couple of tracks, it's like it never happened. The duet with Kari on "We Are The Sinners", "Revelation (Not Yours)" and "I Need It All" (especially), are the key tracks on this release. Here is where Chaos All Stars is an AAA act.

However, some lesser tracks, together with a short track list filled out with unimpressive remixes keeps it from the higher grades. Nevertheless, a good release worth checking out. Mar 21 2012