[Groove Metal] CHAOSADDICTION - “Kintsugi”
Band/Artist: CHAOSADDICTION
Release Title: Kintsugi
Release Date: March 27, 2026
Label: Mosher Records
Format: Digital, CD
Genre: Groove Metal
Country: Portugal
The debut album, 'Kintsugi', is out now via Mosher Records.
Recorded at Golden Jack Studios in Coimbra with João Dourado, Kintsugi delivers nine tracks rooted in the nostalgic groove of early 90s metal (Machine Head, Sepultura, Pantera, Fear Factory…), while pulling in elements of thrash, death metal, hardcore, and more.
The artwork is an original painting by Maria “nosfewatuwu” Madalena. “She did an incredible, out-of-the-ordinary job. In an era where AI is the easy sewer many drink from, it’s good to invest in real artists,” Rui Alexandre adds.
The band formed in Porto in 2024, after a few years as a side project of Rui Alexandre (Terror Empire), who had previously released the singles “guilt(rip)” and “Worst Things First” in 2020. With Gaspar Ribeiro (Equaleft, Terror Empire - and session musician for other national bands), Pedro Mota (Vurdalak), and Pedro Magalhães (Sotz), the line-up was set for live shows. Since then, CHAOSADDICTION have been a constant presence on Portuguese stages.
ORDER: https://mosherrecords.bandcamp.com
Track-by-track:
"INTO CHAOS" sets the mood for the rest of the album. A slayer-esque riff in an intense build-up that serves as a warning shot with a live feel. Because CHAOSADDICTION is - first and foremost - a live band. A total wrist breaker for the right hand, it was actually inspired by a hidden gem of a band called Spiritworld.
"DRAMA KING" was written before CHAOSADDICTION became a band - but it definitely grew a pair as a four-piece. Heavily inspired by Meshuggah and Suicide Silence (yup), it lyrically dwells on the subject of frustration, from the perspective of a lover who's doing a co-op mission while his partner is definitely playing solo... "Fly free - just not with me" sets the mood. The inevitable break up is lurking just around the corner. The ending riff is pure Machine Head, but exploring the limit of the instruments, playing even lower than the lowest tuning, thanks to a friend called Floyd Rose.
"SINTO MUITO" is the portuguese version of "Struck a Nerve" or "Bay of Pigs". The CHAOSADDICTION way: frantic hardcore vibes, like a speeding train without control or any breaks. Until it's pulled to a screeching halt after a drumbreak that displays a fraction of what Gaspar Ribeiro can do behind the kit, heavily inspired by the greatness of Joey Jordison. Sung in portuguese "SINTO MUITO" can be translated to both "I'm sorry" to "I feel too much". And that's the point. "Sorry for feeling too much" sounds like gaslighting and manipulation - and it probably is. Fight fire with fire.
"LOVESICK" is CHAOSADDICTION experimenting with mid-paced vibes. Working title was "NECK BREAKER" and you can tell why, once the cold and minimalistic build-up gives way to a crushing riff that feels like the ceiling just fell on your head. Yet, you head bang. It's inevitable. Despite the groove that could totally be a distant cousin to a Down riff, reeking of New Orleans, the connector to the chorus has definitely some Gojira DNA to it. The end was a result of a jam session - much like 90% of this record - perfect to light 'em up and fade into sonic trance. As for the lyrics, the usual: frustration over that ex that won't come back - but just won't go away. Like a ghost. Just die, already…
[GOODBYE (SEE YOU IN HELL)] “We gotta have a sellout song". What we didn't expect was that this "sellout song" would, in fact, have an earworm of a chorus... but also have a death metal section with double bass on 'roids and a high pitch scream that lasts for way more than it should. You give some, you lose some. The main riff (definitely inspired by "Iowa"-era Slipknot) had been on the shelve for way too long, and just couldn't find its way into a song. But, with the right time and place, it finally reveals itself. Minimalist, but hard hitting, it sets the stage for a disgruntled lover who has the clarity to move on. The dicotomy still lives on, though: "I forgive you, I forget you - but not today".
“YET I LIVE” is the song that turned CHAOSADDICTION into an actual band. Though the structure and the riffs were already there, the spark of playing this as a group of musicians made us feel like "ok, we got something here". Initially, it was heavily inspired by Machine Head's "Blood of the Zodiac", with it's intense double bass packed verse, but then it turned into something else. When you hear the middle section, you get it. Weird-ass time signatures on a stoner riff (?) that makes way for a bitter, melodic crescendo in the vein of the band's grunge influences. To wrap it up, punk hardcore, straight up sung in portuguese "é só mais um dia a morrer" ("it's just another day dying"). Peak tension and release. "Yes, I live", it ends up with. Against all odds, the main character becomes it. The struggle is real, but so is his victory. Lyrically, it talks about "what's the worse that could happen, right?!" when you let chaos into your life. Well, sometimes a simples "hi" ends up in creating a band to deal with how broken you became. Always look to both sides before crossing the street…
“SHE’S A DRUG” - Sometimes, the riff comes first. Not this time. "How would the guitar say 'she's a drug'?" was the motto for the simple riff that is an absolute torture for the drummer, pounding the skins in a parallel universe. 2x. This one is an absolute stray bullet, frantic and obsessed over the two lines that make up of for the totality of the lyrics. Inspired by how a human being can be just as addictive as a drug, with its high and lows, euphoria and hard hitting depression, withdrawal... it's not love - it's addiction. Sometimes, the butterflies in your stomach and just a sign to put down the phone and grab another beer. Not giving into another person's sense of entitlement and self-worth… Thanks to Miguel Inglês (Equaleft) for the support vocals!
“FUCK YOU, NEXT” - This one feels like being hit by a massive wave - in slow motion. You see it coming, and then it just hits you and tumbles you violently in the hold down. A metaphor for the inevitability of what has to happen. Amor Fati. Whatever has to happen, will happen. Embrace it. The riffs are minimalistic but never basic. A mix of classic Fear Factory precision with the groove of peak Chimaira make up for the majority of the song, until it finally breaks down into what we aspire to be seen an absolute Alice in Chains tribute ending. If it sound over the top and weird, that's because it is. We just decided to follow no script or guidelines with CHAOSADDICTION. Even though we're not reinventing the wheel (who is, anyway?), it surely feels like a fresh approach to metal. This song was about to be titled "Phantom Pain", because it deals with how you can still feel and miss something that just isn't there, anymore. But there's no arguing with reality. It objectively isn't there, anymore. Deal with it. Anyway, "Fuck You, Next" sounds way cooler. With or without the comma in it…
“SOMEONE” - Bare bones. Minimalistic. A man and his guitar. And the pain of realizing all the plans he made just went up in flames. Incompatibility is a bitch, and sometimes the best is just to let it go. And learn how to be alone, again - or... for a change. It hurts, but it heals. Sounds like a dialogue, but it's just the inner ramblings of someone who realizes that, no matter the promises you make to others (and to yourself), some things will never change. It's not in their nature or their power. So, just let go and move on.
Musically, the intention was to recreate the intimacy of songs like Nirvana's "Something in the Way" of Silverchair's "Cemetery". But strip it down even further, with no violins or drums. Make it extra raw. So let it be done.
Tracklist:
- Into Chaos
- Drama King
- Sinto Muito
- Lovesick
- Goodbye (See You in Hell)
- Yet I Live
- She’s a Drug (feat. Miguel Inglês)
- Fuck You, Next
- Someone
Line-up:
Rui “ruidamosher” Alexandre - guitars, main vocals
Gaspar “Animal” Ribeiro - drums, backing vocals
Pedro Mota - bass
Pedro Magalhães - guitars
Recording info:
Golden Jack Studios (Coimbra, Portugal)
Produced by Rui Alexandre
Co-produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by João Dourado
For fans of: Machine Head, Pantera, “Chaos A.D.”-era Sepultura, Fear Factory, Corrosion of Conformity
Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaosaddiction_
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chaosaddiction.xiv
Website: https://www.chaosaddiction.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-pt/artist/5A019tppksesiRwMGTyAtP
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/pt/artist/chaosaddiction/1530830914
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=chaosaddiction
Bandcamp (pre-order): https://mosherrecords.bandcamp.com/album/kintsugi
If you wish to receive the full promo, please, get in touch: catia@againstpr.com