Chalk: Crystalpunk

photo: Arann McCormack

Belfast based electro-punk act Chalk laugh at the idea of less is more on their Crystalpunk album. Ross Cullen (vocals, keyboards, synthesizer, bass, guitars) and Benedict Goddard (guitar, synth) have hunted down every empty space in order to hammer down their message of handling crippling anxiety, pain, and pretending not to care.

Their wall-to-wall keyboards almost smother the guitar and the bass barely hangs on. By inserting techno and industrial elements they aim to entertain by hitting their audience over the head in an unrelenting way that will work well in a crowded club, but it falls it bit flat in the comfort on one's home. They will surely sell a lot of copies at the merch table, having banged the crowd into submission.

Chalk: Tongue

Belfast based electro-punk act Chalk have filled every nook and cranny on their new single Tongue, a dark and dense banger that hits hard. Ross Cullen (vocals) and Benedict Goddard (guitar, synth) have nailed bottling anxiety and make it sound like having fun in a weird way.

Chalk: Can't Feel It

Belfast based electro-punk act Chalk try to make sense of the emotions that are part of youth on their new single Can't Feel It: the first kiss, anxiety, trying to fit in (or not). The track sounds rather dark, taking cues from industrial and noise rock, but in the end optimism prevails. The video was directed by Benedict Goddard & Colin Peppard.

Chalk: Pain

Belfast based electro-punk act Chalk stick to their formula on their new single Pain: build a wall of sound and add some dark lyrics, and make sure that people can dance to it. O, and pick a one word song title of course. The video was directed by Benedict Goddard & Colin Peppard.

Chalk: Afraid

Belfast based trio Chalk have successfully captured the middle ground between post-punk and dense electronics on their new single Afraid, a dance floor banger that rockers can relate too. It is a track from their forthcoming new EP Conditions III, due for release on February 21st via Nice Swan Records. The video was directed by Benedict Goddard & Colin Peppard. It will change one's view of enjoying an olive forever.

Chalk: Asking

photo: Sienna Lillie Munn

Belfast based trio Chalk combine monolithic industrial guitar with post-punk on their single Asking, a song about fading memories, trying to cope with thinking about friends who have died. It becomes harder as time progresses and they feel guilty and angry about it. It is throwback to darker side of the late '80s, a sound that never really went away and is becoming cool again.

Chalk: Static

Belfast alternative rock trio Chalk sound like Jarvis Cocker and Bauhaus after a memorable night at the pub on their single Static. Being stuck can be a pain and sometimes shouting at the heavens on top of an unrelenting guitar riff can offer some kind of release. Ross Cullen (vocals), Benedict Goddard (guitar, synths) and Luke Niblock (drums) have managed to bottle their anger and turn into a banger that will be appreciated by Goths and ravers.