EP Review: Nitrochaos - Chaos Reigns (Abbruch Records, 2026)
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Written: 15th June 2026
Based in Hannover and Leipzig, Nitrochaos describe themselves as the bastard child of underground rock band Hound. Hound’s last release was the excellent 2021 album I Know My Enemies. Blending the classic and hard rock of the seventies with psychedelic/prog elements and a biting lyrical outlook, they deserved far wider recognition. Now, five years later, the new project Nitrochaos has unveiled its debut EP Chaos Reigns, featuring three members of Hound - Yannick Aderb (bass), Nando Grujic (guitar) and Wanja Neite (vocals) - with drummer Sebastian Salas completing the line‑up.
With such commonality, it is unsurprising that Nitrochaos has a similar DNA to Hound running throughout the four songs that make up Chaos Reigns. Opening track Blood and Soul begins with urgent, hard-hitting riffs from Nando Grujic together with a propulsive bass line from Aderb. It is anything but lacking in energy and the relentless, driving approach is only interrupted by the quieter spoken word section that Neite delivers in German. There is a sharp punk-like verve and Neite proves a commanding vocalist. Lyrically, the track is presented as a disturbing dream which shows the inner conflict between purity and obsession. Blood‘s red but we‘re not the same / The truth is that I want to get paid / My whole body itchin’ / Awe and recognition / It‘s like waiting for a drug that never / Kicks all in. A darkly vibrant opener, it wonderfully sets the scene for the EP.
Chaos Reigns is a slower, heavier song that also has a more distinct groove. There is a Motörhead-like aura, at least in attitude, and the chugging riffs add an ominous twist to the lyrics which focus on rejecting stability and embracing decay and mutation. Amalgamating heavy metal and hard rock to build tension, there are moments that feel defiant, at times bordering on frantic. Living up to its title, there is a sense of organised chaos within some sections of the track and as Grujic’s guitar wails and screams during the song’s climax it creates a sense of breathlessness.
Be My Pet Boi is looser and more playful in a way that reminds me of Wild Cherry’s Play That Funky Music, albeit a heavier version. Halfway through, the song makes a sudden left turn. Just as it seems the track is slowing down and about to end, there is subdued section with gently picked guitar that finds Neite singing as if a single listener sitting close to him. It ties in with the themes of the track, which the band’s own notes explain. “Vocalist Wanja Neite draws from personal experience as a queer sex worker to craft the song’s narrative. Be My Pet Boi is a high-energy exploration of intimacy, loneliness and the desire for total derailment.” Unlike anything else on the EP, it shows another side to the band - one which confirms they are prepared to push their lyrical explorations.
Pushing that sense of variety, Frighten The Crane uses atmospheric prog textures and refined layering to create a reflective and haunting mood. The lyrics centre on water, submerged eyes and recurring sounds, suggesting memory, dreams, or unresolved emotion resurfacing. A plea not to disturb something fragile implies fear of losing connection. High above the land / I hear the ripples hum / They kiss like rain. More thoughtful and restrained, it demonstrates that Nitrochaos understand control can be just as powerful as the chaos that imbues much of the rest of the EP. My favourite of the four.
Overall, Chaos Reigns feels like a strong and welcome return for this group of musicians, bringing together familiar strengths, while opening the door to new directions. There is a gripping urgency to Blood and Soul that immediately stands out. The heavier force of the title track adds a palpable intensity and Frighten the Crane shows real depth and restraint, leaving a lasting impression. Be My Pet Boi is the one moment that does not connect with me in quite the same way on a musical level. Wanja Neite’s vocals remain expressive and distinctive, even if their character may take time for some listeners to warm to. Most importantly, there is a clear sense of a band willing to experiment and follow their instincts, suggesting there is plenty more still to come.
Chaos Reigns is out now.
Nitrochaos online
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