8 Years Ago Chaotic Remains Unleash Their Symphonic Fury with Debut Album We Are Legion

When We Are Legion arrived on December 1st, 2017, via Mighty Music (Catalog ID: PMZ238CD), it marked a long-awaited milestone for Chaotic Remains—a band that had been simmering in Malta’s underground since 2008. Known for their aggressive blend of symphonic death and black metal, the group’s debut full-length release showcased both their musical ambition and the scars of a turbulent past.

The lineup on We Are Legion brought together a formidable cast of musicians: Sean Baldacchino, known by his moniker ‘Storm,’ on vocals, Andrew Grech on bass, Mark Andrew on drums, Julian Bacon and Roderick Sciberras on guitars, and William Debattista on keyboards. The album’s polished sound was brought to life through the mixing and mastering work at SpineSplitter Studio.

Despite being their first official release, We Are Legion was anything but the product of a fledgling band. As longtime follower and reviewer Robert Zuriaake noted in his 2021 retrospective, “We Are Legion is an agglomeration of ideas accumulated throughout several years and months… not their first experience creating music.” He praised the record for being “very entertaining and captivating,” with particular emphasis on its standout tracks like “Fate in the Abyss” and “In Need of an Angel.”

Zuriaake’s review shines a light on the band’s internal growth, especially their ability to finally stabilize their lineup after years of instability. He commended the guitar work and the “perfectly crafted symphonic passages,” as well as Debattista’s tasteful keyboard presence. “One fact which I completely respect Chaotic Remains for is that they are extremely competent at what they do,” he wrote. “The drummer is a fucking beast… and the vocalist is a complete beast on this release.”

Still, Zuriaake pointed out imperfections in the album’s production, particularly the underwhelming presence of the bass guitar in the mix. “It is mixed too low and most of the time gets overshadowed by the growls and the guitars,” he observed, while still praising the consistency and cohesion of the band’s performance.

Dead Rhetoric’s David E. Gehlke, writing shortly before the album’s release, provided a contrasting yet equally thoughtful critique. He identified Chaotic Remains as part of a newer generation stepping into a genre that has, in many ways, lost its prominence. “The lack of any new, fresh, high-ranking symphonic black metal bands leaves a void for younger acts, like Malta’s Chaotic Remains,” he wrote, calling the band’s sound “keyboard-happy BM.”

Gehlke found William Debattista’s keyboard work to be the central pillar of the band’s sound. “He gets top billing in the mix,” he noted, adding that the band’s orchestration leaned into the “keyboard-versus-guitar push and pull that came to prominence roughly 20 years ago.” Though he described the album’s mix as “chaotic,” he still acknowledged its potency: “You’re going to get a lot out of what Chaotic Remains have to offer… it’s a whirling, wild ride from a group of dudes who sound larger than life.”

At just seven tracks, We Are Legion doesn’t overstay its welcome. It serves instead as a bold, if imperfect, introduction to a band with grand sonic ambitions and deep genre roots. Though the group currently seeks a new bassist and has been absent from the live circuit, fans can hold out hope for new material.

After nearly a decade of formation, lineup changes, and refinement, We Are Legion stands as a testament to Chaotic Remains’ endurance and dedication to their craft. As Zuriaake aptly concluded: “These guys do not reinvent the wheel, however, their interpretation and execution of such ideas is something to behold.”

Listen to the album here