I recently had the opportunity to listen to the Razör Förge / Chaoshorde split, released in 2022 by Vicious Witch Records, available on 7" vinyl in a limited edition of just 300 copies. Today I'm going to give you my impressions of it. But before getting to the heart of the matter, a few words about the two bands in question.
Razör Förge is a London-based heavy metal band founded in 2021. In addition to this split, the band recently released an EP entitled Nightfall Hunter in 2024. As for Chaoshorde, they hail from Athens, and I've already had an opportunity to write about their debut EP in a previous review, which you can find at this link EP Review: “Hordes Arising” by Chaoshorde.
This split is in two distinct parts. Side A showcases Razör Förge with two tracks (including an introduction), while side B is devoted to Chaoshorde with a single track. The total duration is 08:09, which is very short for my taste as I'm used to longer productions.
The album opens with Razör Förge's Intro: Sharpen the Blade, followed by Profane Savage. This is classic heavy metal, with a hint of punk (which I could feel) and a deliberately raw production. The track is direct and energetic, with a solo that smacks of the genre's roots, like a tribute to the early days of heavy metal.
The second part of the split, provided by Chaoshorde, is represented by the track Chäos Räisers. It's a veritable onslaught of black/speed metal, savage in both execution and production. The frantic rhythm, relentless pounding drums and cavernous vocals with demonic overtones make for a wall of sound that is appreciated by fans of the genre. I particularly enjoy this type of black/speed where the intensity never lets up, right down to the last note.
