The Chisel – Retaliation: A Strong Effort with Some Stumbles
The Chisel’s Retaliation is a solid attempt at crafting an exciting, high-energy album that blends classic punk influences with a raw garage rock edge. Ramones and Sex Pistols inspirations run deep, but the band injects just enough modern grit to avoid sounding like a straight-up throwback. While there's plenty to admire here—aggressive energy, sharp riffs, and a clear love for the genre—a few missteps in execution hold it back from reaching its full potential.
Production Woes: A Major Setback
The most noticeable issue is the vocal mixing. Whether it was an artistic choice or a technical oversight, the vocals are buried in the mix on too many tracks. While a few songs manage to balance them well, most of the album has moments where the vocals feel too distant, making it frustrating to fully engage with the lyrics and delivery. Even the gang vocals, which should have added punch and camaraderie, are too quiet to make the impact they deserve.
This problem extends beyond just the vocals. The drums are often subdued, which is disappointing because when they do cut through, they provide a solid, groovy backbone. The guitars oscillate between high-energy punk strumming and more laid-back, almost absent-minded playing. Some tracks feature blistering punk aggression, while others feel like the guitarist is holding back too much. The bass mix is wildly inconsistent, either dominating the track or disappearing entirely with no middle ground.
A Vision That Nearly Lands
Despite these mixing issues, the songwriting itself is compelling. The Chisel clearly has a firm grasp on punk’s rebellious spirit and anthemic energy, and when all the elements align, the songs hit hard. There’s a sense that the band was reaching for something great, and they almost got there—but the production choices prevent the album from reaching its full impact.
Ending the album on a curious note, the final track feels like a bold but slightly odd choice. It’s unclear if the band was aiming for something more introspective, experimental, or anthemic, but it doesn’t fully land the way it could have.
Final Thoughts: A Solid Effort That Falls Short
The Chisel’s Retaliation has all the raw ingredients for a killer punk album—great energy, solid songwriting, and a clear appreciation for the genre’s history. Unfortunately, inconsistent production and weak mixing keep it from being as powerful as it should be. Still, there’s a lot of promise here, and if the band tightens up their sound and polishes their production, their next release could be something truly great.
For now, Retaliation is a fun but flawed listen—one that will likely resonate with die-hard punk fans but leave others wishing for a more refined execution.
RATING: 7/10
NOTIABLE TRACKS:
Come See Me
So Do I
Shit Life Syndrome
Crocket
Force Fed