Chiron - 2015 - The Best Of

(70:56; Wave Records)

Track list:
1. Forgotten 4:18
2. Loosing You 3:42
3. Bleed 4:08
4. No Order 5:12
5. Point of No Return 4:12
6. Close My Eyes 3:36
7. Ascent 4:30
8. Hate 5:12
9. Burn (Remix) 6:01
10. Distorted 4:20
11. Disenchanted 4:53
12. Far From Me 4:09
13. Crying in the Night 4:24
14. Night in Cairo 3:32
15. Love Is (Alternative Mix) 4:50
16. Visions 3:57

Line-up:
Michael Aliani - vocals, programming, keyboards
Dino Molinaro - bass, programming
DJ Robert Anthony - decks, programming, keyboards
Shura B2 - guitars
Leva B2 - guitars
Carlo Pascale - guitars
Richard Allen - guitars
Brian Gibson - guitars
Marissa M - vocals


Australian band Chiron appeared towards the tail end of the 1990's following main man Michael Aliani's departure from Gothic rock band Ikon. Over the years Chiron has become something of a staple in the underground rock scene it would appear, a band that appears to be very popular among music reviewers and with a small cadre of dedicated fans, but never really managing to break out from the underground as far as I can tell. The album "The Best Of" was released through Brazilian label Wave Records, dates back to 2015, and as the name implies it is a compilation album.

I do feel that I'm a bit lost for words when trying to describe the specific style explored by this band, as they mix and blend elements from several different traditions and orientations. The expression darkwave has been put forward by many, and while I generally haven't found that description all that useful before I can see why it may be applied in this specific case. But rather than to shoehorn the music into a new description because it doesn't fit the numerous existing ones, I will opt for the more nerd-oriented option here I think. And describe the music here as an amalgam of elements pulled in from new wave. Gothic rock and post-punk, with occasional inclusions of synth pop, electronic pop and industrial elements.

The most important aspect of note is that the moods and landscapes explored tend to be on the darker side of matters I guess. More on the brooding side of matters than straight op ominous, with a strong introverted feel and a tendency to have melancholic and mournful undercurrents in the mood department. More often than not the compositions will be delivered with something of a theatrical swagger, primarily by way of the lead vocals.

A firm, dominant and often driving bass line is a central element in the majority of the songs here, and various aspects of floating keyboard motifs is a recurring trait too. With a range for the latter spanning from cold, subtly otherworldly textures on one extreme and richer, more orchestral sounding textures on the other. The guitar provides several different elements, depending on the song in question, with elegant but tight plucked notes, a more fuzzy but tight and dampened post-punk style of dark guitar texture another central element, and with numerous instances of elegant and flowing harmony overlays and guitar solo runs somethin of a staple throughout. Electronic effects of different kinds is a more occasional passenger, but used to good effect and in an efficient manner when present.

Many of the songs, and arguably the majority of them, come with strong and appealing tendencies, often with a distinct groove or a tight and vibrant drive that both will engage the listener, and in many cases both of these aspects will be present too of course. This is easy to like music, material that does engage the listener even on the very first listen. The band will also include songs with more of an off kilter character to them, focusing more on a subtly odd structure or a more theatrical approach and execution in general, and on occasion the landscapes explored will have a bit more of a bleak nature to them. But these somewhat more expressive sides of the band will rarely if ever get too out of hand, and never to the point of disrupting the engaging characteristics of the song. But they are a part of the total experience, and documents a band that is far removed from being a one-dimensional entity.

While I don't know enough about this type of music to observe specific references here, I know enough about music that safely state this is a most solid compilation album, and I believe the greater majority of people with a general interest for music that exist inside the triangle of post-punk, Gothic rock and new wave will find this compilation to be well worth spending some time with. And I suspect this band will be a surprise revelation for quite a few too, at least based on the streaming figures on Spotify.

Olav M. Björnsen, February 2023

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/chirongothic
http://www.waverecordsmusic.com/