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Here's an album that would be much better if it weren't for the vocals, or more specifically the occasional but frequent use of "mallcore meets metalcore" type of screamo vocals. This takes so much away from the music, it's unbearable (unless, of course, this type of I-need-to-take-a-shit screams are OK with you.) When the singer gets into a style that fits the Stoner/Doom on display here, things are a lot better. The vocals get as slow and heavy as the music, literally pinning you to the ground, making you feel like a large tank is rolling over you back and forth (the ultimate sadomasochistic massage?) Chained to the World mixes those very slow, grinding and heavy numbers with a few more rocking ones that'll practically send you in an headbanging frenzy — only to slam you right back to the ground with another crushing blow (and there's that tank coming again.) A few 70ish Sabbath-esque moments are sure to bring a smile to the old schoolers out there — in fact, musically this is not all that modern overall, the old influences being almost omnipresent and the newer sound is usually kind of buried underneath all of this.

The album is filled with a dark and heavy, sometimes threatening atmosphere that quite poignant at times, and musically this is overall some pretty damn good stuff. The production is a bit thin at times, but nothing bad enough to prevent one from enjoying this. Really it's too bad that they opted to add some crappy vocals to this rather than stick to what fits, as this makes the album a tough listen for anyone who can't tolerate that stuff. Still, Chained to the World is a good collection of raw and heavy songs that's worth checking out if you can stomach the parasitic screamo vocals.