Dead To The World (Big Fat Tatuh Music)

Torture Test (Mighty Music)

THE GOOD

Americans are undisputed masters of thrash, death and hard core. While CRONIC DISORDER are masters of mixing the first two above-mentioned kinds of metal. As for thrash we meet here sharp riffs, intensity and hoarse, aggressive vocal, as for death metal - heaviness and pretty big dose of brutality. To me it sounds like very raw version of early MACHINE HEAD, to other editors "TORTURE TEST" is for example "a very brutal album", "the best blend of death and thrash since DEMOLITION HAMMER"... Everything's clear?!
Review from Burning Abyss 'Zine

This album could be considered as the crossroad between death metal, nu-metal, and Sepultura. The structure of most of these songs is death metallic, but the singing manner and some clear cuttings of rhythm add hardcore motives to this recording (this is evident on such songs as "Ugly Head"). With hardcore elements, the stylistic diversity of "Torture Test" doesn't end. So, "Culture of Violence" adds "modern" sounding, resembling even a bit of Nine Inch Nails. "Lesser of Two Evils" has thrash metal elements, and "With Rechless Abandon" reminds me of Testament's "The Gathering" album. The producing of this album is good, and the overall sound is heavy and clear. So, the album leaves a good and fresh impression.
review from Edge Of Time

If you are only orthodox death or grind maniac- please STOP reading! And you, who want also something else for better nerves-ATTENTION! This is progressive thrash/death of this sympatic ami-guys. But there are no trends! They recorded very good material with aggressive sound. I mean that basic roots are in thrash, but sometimes it's brutal and fast like death metal stuff! It's honest work...By my opinion-as opposite-new KONKHRA is quite boring. It recommends me last 2 CD' s of TESTAMENT, but guys from C.D. have their own face! The best thing on this CD is vocalist which voice is aggressive, but genial! It's also mix of brutality and melodic parts. 9 song grind you to the end including serial killer mix song and quite funny blues-song /I hear godly Elvis, ha,ha. This is no trend- this is fucking aggressive stuff!!!!
review from Antitrend Zine (Czech)

The band Cronic Disorder is talented enough to be able to write something like Slayer's Reign In Blood in the near future. Slayer's influences are really present on Torture Test...for instance listen to "Lesser Of Two Evils". We think that Torture test is a great brutal album of uncompromising music. Thanks to concrete and brutal songs (for instance "With Reckless Abandon") this band from North Carolina could easily become one of the next big things in their genre of metal.
review from 6 Bears (Metal Section)

CRONIC DISORDER : Torture Test (Mighty Music, 34'50', 9 tracks, power-metal) :
For those who are searching about a band near of the Machine Head's debut CD or Testament and Skinlab, you should try this young band from North Carolina (USA). All the elements of these bands are joined in the music played by Cronic Disorder that is to say power-metal music, maybe a little bit more death-metal than these 3 bands but the whole of the album and the concept are the same. A great CD for this young band, we feel a lot of aggressiveness, brutality and heavier passage but with a great feeling. rating (7.5 out of 10)
review from Dark Wave

Cronic Disorder/Torture Test
Rating: 8.0 by Carlos Afonso
Cronic Disorder is a death/thrash metal band that will remember you the early days of Sepultura, mainly in the vocals of Doug Canipe, also bassist of the band. Although most part of Cronic Disorder influences comes from early Slayer, Demolition Hammer, Vio-lence and old thrash metal scene, some modern touches are even found, as in Lesser of Two Evils, that sounds like a cross between Slayer and Suicidal Tendencies. "Torture Test" is a very short album, with no more than 35 minutes. It also include two curiosities. One is the cover for Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues, which became very weird (and interesting) in a thrash metal version. And the end is with C.O.V. (Serial Killer Mix), full of industrial effects, and slow passages. It sounds like the modern songs of recent Slayer phase. All in all, a good death/thrash metal album, in a style that is rare to find nowadays.
review from Renegade2k.com

Skull Session Radio 104.5/Calgary, Alberta, CANADA
Top 10 releases of 1999 as selected by host Dan "The Man" Imer
1. Cryptopsy - Whisper Supremacy
2. Thorazine - Seed the Black Sky
3. Pessimist - Blood for the Gods
4. Solus - Universal Bloodshed
5. Cannibal Corpse - Bloodthirst
6. Malevolent Creation - The Fine Art of Murder
7. Cronic Disorder - Dead to the World
8. Immolation - Failures for Gods
9. Anonymus - Instinct
10. Six Feet Under - Maximum Violence

"Dipping down into the Carolina's, we find the brutish four-piece thrash band called CRONIC DISORDER who play that sort of punishing and just-fast-enough-to-be-interesting vein of metal with blowtorch vocals that I always find myself liking instantly. It takes a strong production to pull off this sort of thing effectively, and the band certainly got that on their first CD, titled "DEAD TO THE WORLD" (expect a call from Chum's lawyers). For me, it all goes back to Demolition Hammer and how destructive some of their mid-paced material was, and this puts me back in the same mindframe as when I heard some of the songs from "Time Bomb", and CRONIC DISORDER'S great guitar tones help make those memories even more vivid, while the vocals are just dirty enough to perfectly match the strength of the music. A six-song release with two "bonus tracks" (including a thrashed-up cover of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues") this demo disc is sure to be heavy enough for fans of not only modern bands but throwbacks in the aforementioned vein, so write to them and find out how much they're charging for this, and if it's reasonable, get a copy.
review from Metal Maniacs/Ula Gehret

For those of you who cannot get enough of Testament's latest opus, The Gathering, it is essential that you experience Cronic Disorder. This album  is an all out frenzy of death, thrash and speed. Brilliant dual guitar interplay, heavier-than-thou drums and bonafide Metal lyrics with a vocal delivery just as good as Chuck Billy. Hello record labels, get your butts down to NC and snap this band up. A really cool cover of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" is one of two bonus tracks on Dead To The World. It's impossible not to fall in love with Cronic Disorder. RATING 10
review from Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles #36 (December 1999)
Dead To The World was voted one of the top 10 demo releases of 1999 by BW&BK

At one time North Carolina was jumping in the u/g scene with the likes of some good bands--Bloody Mary, Seducer and Debauchery just to name a few but with the ever-struggling music scene and the lack of venues let alone closures of   venues, it has made its mark taking its toll out on bands even initiating an existence.
A very aggressive CD here--a 9-track debut that is only about 35 minutes and a disagreeable bio that reads influences of Sepultura/Morbid Angel. Actually one band sums it up for me -good thing they are defunct already cuz maybe it'll propel this one--Killing Culture. It's got that same energetic passion for being in-your-face and leaves you nothig to hide except the wounds you will suffer from a home mosh pit. All other aspectsof the CD are top-notch with packaging and production. Cronically excellent!
review from Ballbuster

USA’s Cronic Disorder have a real potential to become something significant for the whole metal scene if they change their opinion about themselves and the way they are promoting their music… Of course, they have the death-metal influences they pretend to, and that could easily be heard by any young newsletter editor, but that’s also obvious they go further than simply copying what a generation of other bands did before ‘em. Coupling their death-metal roots with some Slayer (“The Last Laugh”), (new) Sepultura and (few) Coroner influences, with a great taste for adding samples as background “noise”, adding to all of this a little touch of Suicidal Tendencies and the punk-ish / hardcore feel it means. An amazing production (for a self-financed release), coupled with great “bonus tracks” (a Johnny Cash cover version and a remix) are making this one a good bargain.
review from Suffer Mag

This is a band from North Carolina that take their influence from the thrash/speed area of the metal spectrum. While the band reach into the old school style of things to pull out similarities to such bands as SLAYER (moreso during their 'Divine Intervention' days) and DEMOLITION HAMMER, the vocals are very much like those of Phil Anselmo (PANTERA). This makes for an interesting mix of old school meets modern metal (and no, I'm not talking that stuff they are trying to call metal, ie Korn and their ilk). The album is fast paced, aggressive and barrages the listener with absolute reckless abandon. My favourite off the disc is definitely 'With Reckless Abandon'. If you like PANTERA or thrash/speed stuff then this disc will provide some good listening.
review from Metal Gospel

The newest bastard to come from the minds of Cronic Disorder is perhaps THE best full length record by an unsigned band that I have heard in a long damn time. I say this because I got that "FUCK YES!" feeling when listening to this mix of thrash/death metal. You know what I mean--that feeling when something is so right on in regard to style, writing, individual members ability and how they all melt together. Doug Canipe can fucking bend steel with his raging death-like vox. The music and vox are perfectly balanced- each is like a boot to the head, hitting with equal force. And don't let the "Intro" track fool you into thinking you are going to hear something mellow and slow--It is calm before the storm my friends. From the first song "Ugly Head", until the last "The Last Laugh"(excluding the two bonus tracks) ... unadulterated hostility is unleashed by the band to slay your ass. Cronic Disorder is merciless in their delivery even on their cover of the man in black's "Folsom Prison Blues". The cover starts out countryesque but goes into overdrive quite quickly. To be quite honest this CD has not left my stereo since I received it. The band is most certainly deserving of the fullest support from the metal legions. You WILL regret not getting this record.
review from Lords Of Judgement

Right away, an abusive production forces you on your knees to receive the impending ass whupping Cronic Disorder is all to happy to dish out. “Dead to the World” is a self financed, full-length release that shows off a band hungry for recognition, and they should achieve this with their knack for creating well structured music with powerful instrumentation, and a genre spanning style that ravenously siphons from both the death and thrash metal worlds. The guitar work is very tasteful, rarely falling into Yngwie masturbation, in favor of memorable scale worship that adds that much needed 3rd dimension to the pummeling rhythm oriented attack C.D. comfortably toils in. Firmly based in crunch chorded riff structures, Chip and James’ twin guitar offensive is seamless as they feed off from each other, adding in distortionless passages as on “With Reckless Abandon”, before showing off their skill with more challenging note fills. Driven by precision double bass work, the drummer never steps into the blasting fields, rather sticking with a straight forward, meaty foundation that abuses quick kick/snare speed fills. This performance doesn’t burden the crunch filled guitar work with perplexing intricacies, instead, opting for steadfast time keeping, massive cymbal crashes, and the periodic drum roll embellishment just to add a bit of rhythmic flavor. Typically, an enraged tough guy yell brings to mind a form of metal that could live without, but bassist Doug Canipe puts more abrasion into this delivery, and even mixes in cleaner singing with throaty death moans to add contrast to this well written album. Throw in a thrashed out rendition of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” for a bit of open minded diversity, and the tracks found on “Dead to the World” give 9 good reasons to hunt this release down. Ah… a thrash influenced album that doesn’t slip into mindless mosh antics… we need more of this from bands trying to tap back into a style that pretty much died when death metal reared it’s grotesque head.
review from Worm Gear

You know, when I first started writing any reviews at all, most of the time I tried listening to the discs as if I were trying to be the rest of the metal listening world; an objective third party; trying to rate everything on the 4.5" circular container of tunes with an open mind. And then I thought, 'Why should I try to be so objective with everything? If I really like something, I should just go ahead and say so. If I hate it, then it's open season on that particular disc. So when I popped Cronic Disorder in my stereo, I thought (with almost a smirk), 'Here we go again. Another lesser-known, poorly-produced piece o' poo'...And then "Ugly Head" came on and my smirk changed into a reflection of "Whoa!"  By the time my head swam through "Ugly Head", "Culture of Violence" and "Lesser of Two Evils", I was asking aloud to no one, "Why aren't these guys signed?" But then again, with the quality and morals of a bunch of signed bands these days, why SHOULD they be signed? What they're doing with metal is too fine to have a money-hungry producer or label fuck with. This album reeks of heavy, thick double-bass, crisp, crunchy guitars and fat bass tones. The growling vocals are executed with ease for the most part, though at times it sounds a little too thin. But as I'm listening to the disc, I realize that this is a good thing, as it lends diversity to what is usually boring death metal vocals of the same cookie cutter variety in that genre. They even manage to pull off a Johnny Cash song...What the hell?
An impressive first(?) release from a band that can't be called thrash or death metal, but an interesting mix of the two.
review from Infernal Dominion

Cronic Disorder hail from Charlote, USA. Playing a thrash-metal with a death-metal touch reminding the more
recent opus from the Bay Area Gods Testament, but not in the vocal performance. With a good production and really well worked songs, these guys must have spent lots of time in the garage rehearsing and it really worth the time spending.
A great debut for these Americans. Beware for the dead of the world.
review from Panzer Magazine

I think this was originally going to be released on another label, but apparently the band went ahead and released it themselves and I'm damn glad they did! You will be, too, once you hear it. Cronic Disorder is the best blend of death and thrash since Demolition Hammer. Cronic Disorder combines that aggressive thrashy edge with a pinch of '90s groove and a hefty amount of death metal heaviness, rounded out nicely by Doug Canipe's harsh rasp. "Ugly Head" is one of the best tunes from this CD with it's catchy, moving rhythms, but better than that is "With Reckless Abandon", wherein Canipe spins a tale of technological disaster. Modem noise makes for a cool sample mixed into clean, psychedelic guitar work and slower drumming. Canipe sings a few lines cleanly in this song, to great effect. Brad Sellars' drumming is tight and accurate, be it doubling the bass or pounding out heavy thrash grooves. As bonus tracks, the band included an entertaining cover of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" and a remix of "Culture of Violence". This is not a techno remix, but basically the same song with a few slight changes and more samples, making it a little longer. That beats a techno remix any day.This is independent and totally pro, including lyrics
review from Eternal Frost

Simply put this is BRUTAL! Cronic Disorder are too heavy to be called thrash and not quite over the top enough to be called death metal. The band fall somewhere into that gray area between the two. This is the direction that Machine Head should of went in instead of turning into clowns and rapping. Cronic Disorder are from North Carolina, USA and have been together for 6+ years! Dead To The World is their first full-length CD, being preceded by 3 demos. The sound quality on this CD is above average for an unsigned band. Vocally this band is borderlinedeath metal. In places there are the growls but in other songs there are some actual attempts at melodic singing - no I'm not talking melodic like Helloween or something, this is more along the lines of the melody you can find in some of Slayer's material. In fact Cronic Disorder no doubt have spent a fair amount of time listening to Slayer. It shows in the riffing and guitar sounds. In a few places the vocals take on a hardcore edge. It's not overpowering so it's stomachable but I could still do without ANY hardcore leanings! A lot of the songs on the CD has the tendency to run together into one big evil blur that will take me a few more listens to really distinguish between the songs. The last track on the CD is listed as a bonus track and get this, it's a cover of a Johnny Cash song entitled "Folsom Prison Blues." It's starts out sounding like a typical hick tune then it gets VERY sick. You gotta laugh at this one and take it as the joke it was meant to be! This CD is not a must have, but it does have it's moments. Considering the band have already been together for 6 years the only way for them to go is upwards. If the band incorporates a little more diversity into their songs and perhaps SOME melody they will get more attention. Rating 3/5
review from Metal Rules.com

Forget about Machine Head or Skinlab ... this is modern day thrash played the way it was meant to be played ... no mainstream influences whatsoever, "Dead to the World" is tight, technical, and heavier than a boulder dropping down on an ant. Definitely check out this album if you like Arise-era Sepultura, Kreator, or old Metallica.
review from Hellfrost Zine

A very brutal album that brought out the maniac in me! Yes sir, you will thrash out to this! Punishing riffage and coherent vocals without sounding too muffled like some death bands have. Fans of older death/thrash like Sepultura(Arise-era), Kreator-CHECK THESE GUYS OUT!!
review from Neckbreaker/Audio Aggression

Without a doubt this is one of the best Death-metal albums I have ever heard! What people like Picasso or Rembrandt did for paint these guys do to music! With tracks like Culture of Violence, with its almost chant like lyrics and background harmony, or With Reckless Abandon (Track 5) which incorporates the sound of an old morse telegraph and a modern modem as musical instruments. The creativity even spills onto their remake of Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues where-by the music starts country - exactly as Cash himself would sing it until the word "die" in the lyrics, "I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die" where our death-metal friends jump in on queue like they were just waiitng for that word. Like the Borg characters on Star-Trek, Cronic Disorder have the ability to assimilate all that comes into their path and incorporate it into the all-mighty death-metal. This disc was creative and fun. Get this disc because "Resistence is futile"!
Grade: 10/10
review from  RRCA/Emperor MultiMedia

Well, this CD is dated 1999, so I haven't been sitting on my ass for more than a year, at least. I really liked Cronic's "Reduced to Ruins" (see Eternal Frost review http://surf.to/eternalfrost, issue 1?) demo. This new one ups the ante for CD considerably. In fact, it makes the old one sound a bit flat in comparison. This time around, they are sporting totally pro production, as opposed to the 8-track sound of the demo. Not that I noticed this back then, but the new CD sounds sharp as hell. Now I could be wrong, but I get the impression that they took a more relaxed approach to this disc. There are numerous flourishes that make me think that, but mainly, it seems like they took their time and had fun writing and recording it. The lyrics are just one thing that separates CD from 95% of the metal bands out today: they write lyrics that are about something other than hacking people up. While I appreciated gore lyrics and the like, most people don't interject very much creativity into their song writing. Doug writes lyrics that read as well as they sound, and actually have meaning outside of the context of giving the singer something to say. I really can't think of many bands that do that today, especially in the mostly stagnate death metal genre. At least grindcore has songs about nothing. I'd really like to hear a death metal band sing about going to Taco Bell and stuff. Not that Cronic play death metal, as such. It's a tough call, but they are generally more in the crunchy metal vein, for lack of a better word. The music is heavy, but doesn't really turn into breakneck chaos at any point. The heaviness is derived from the riffing, tightness and vocal stylings, which range from DM growly to some very respectable clean vocals. I can't say a whole hell of a lot about the bass playing, as it mainly serves to support and double the guitar lines. The CD does have a great low end, though. I mainly mean there are no stand-out bass breaks or anything. In the guitar department, the solos are great. James and Chip demonstrate real thought and actual innovation. How often do you hear that about guitarists nowadays? A band really ain't shit without a drummer that can deliver the goods, and, of course, Brad continues to do just that. This band has always been good, and I am glad to see them gaining new levels of visibility. I love the slight Slayer influence that creeps out at times. After all, Slayer themselves are rather disappointing to me lately. Finally, the post-recording polish such as the re-mix of Culture of Violence make for a highly listenable album. And that modem sound fucks with my head every time I hear it. Or it would, if I wasn't online 16 hours a day. I won't even mention that they do an outstanding Johnny Cash cover. Realizing that this album is not for grind heads and gore freaks, as your lawyer, I advise you to give Cronic Disorder a listen, or another listen, if you've only heard their first demo. Like all intelligent bands, they have mp3s available online. Speaking of which, I heard a bit of "Kill 'Em All" the other day (on VH1, of all places). While I used to think I really liked the old Metallica, I found myself nauseated at the sound of Hetfield's voice. Just knowing it was him made me want to puke. What a fucked up world we live in.
review from Jason/Death Metal Music Assoc.

Ok, listen here assholes! This is some powerful fucking death/thrash that will kick you square in the cunt! The guitar work is severely heavy with chuggy ass fuckin heavy riffs. There is alot of speed here, but the breakdowns will make your ass bleed. The vocals of Doug Canipe are sort of death, I mean they are semi-guttural but you can hear his words clearly. Get in touch with these bastards cause they put out some good, well played metal.
8 Impalements
review from Violated Rot Zine

Exploring that torrid terrain between '80s Thrash and early Death Metal, Cronic Disorder let loose a morbid brutality of tight, fiery riffs and hail-fall rhythms.
review from Listen.com

THE BAD

Who are Cronic Disorder you ask? According to their bio they're a three piece death/thrash outfit from North Carolina. Their current album, Torture Test was originally released as self-financed demo, sold only at concerts and sent around as a promo to labels. The folks at Mighty Music in Denmark were so impressed they signed the band and released the album with new artwork as the band's first label release. What you probably didn't know is this band has been around since 1991 and have released four demo tapes, one compilation disc with all of their demo material on CD and appeared on two compilations, one being a tribute to KISS. Even I, who knows about almost every metal band in existence, hadn't even heard of this band before. The reason for that? Well... their first demo sold only 100 copies, the second sold another 100, the third 500 and the last only 1000 were printed, and the demo compilation? Only 300 of those were printed. Obviously a band who's been around 10 years and sold less than 2000 copies of their material aren't exactly going to impress the hell out of anyone, but I guess Mighty Music were just really desperate for a new release. The press release compares them to everyone from Testament and Exhorder to Machine Head and Skinlab, the only problem is, they don't really sound much like any of them. They sound nothing like Machine Head, new or old, or Testament or Exhorder... I don't know about Skinlab, because after listening to 15 seconds of one of their songs I felt like vomiting and quickly turned it off. I'd honestly like to meet the people who wrote these reviews that are listed in the press release and find out what each of them was smoking as they wrote their reviews. The music is generally pretty chug-beat oriented, with grunt-yell hardcore vocals with several wanky solos strewn about like toilet paper on the house of a college dean's house on homecoming. Some of the songs are moderately interesting, however for the most part the band lands firmly in the category of 'generic thrashcore' along with True To Form, Profane, Krome and about a thousand other promos or demos of bands I've received like this. They even do the most disgustingly pathetic covers of Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues that's so far in the realm of retarded even Six Feet Under couldn't do a worse cover, and that's really saying something. The Crown is death-thrash, and death-thrash done well. Cronic Disorder is thrashcore that gave me a rash that will hopefully go away once this disc is thrown in the trash.
review from Teufel's Tomb

First American band to be signed by Danish label Mighty Music whom music can be described as a blend or mix of death, trash and also some hardcore elements. Torture Test was originally released as a self financed and it seemed to receive a lot of positive reviews especially in their native land. Well I would not be impressed as Cronic Disorder produces music very popular with the metal fans in the states. Some clear influences of the new approaches of Sepultura, Fear Factory and early Machine Head among others could be easily noticed. Overall Torture Test is not a bad album but from my point of view nothing special or new. I have already heard this music before from other bands and to be honest played much well. It is a bit too 'American commercial metal' for my tastes and some happy repetitive riffing doesn't really get me into it. I know this type of music is very popular in the States and I would not be surprised this band would be popular there…as for the rest, unless you run out with three quarters oversize bermudas and Mission Impossible 2 theme is your favorite track… stick to something else.
review from Solemn Music

Cronic Disorder is a 3 piece that touch base with At War and Sacred Reich. Sadly the riff based approach the band has adopted becomes monotonous after a while, with similar patterns and runs repeating themselves. ‘Ugly Head’ rages and ‘With Reckless Abandon’ or ‘Dead Man Walking’ will equally impress, but the limited ideas are apparent and become more obvious as the CD runs its course. Listeners into no nonsense, hard as nails Metal however should find Torture Test interesting and worthy of both their time and money…
review from Samson Metal Warriors

Hailing from North Carolina and offering a sound that is steeped in rumbling thrash of yesteryear with a more latter day 90s hardcore-ish edge to it, Cronic Disorder's first release for Denmark's Mighty Music finds them plying their wares in competent but unconvincing fashion. This nine song release is a rumbling growler with thick sound, barking vocals and...um...yeah, it's loud and heavy. Unfortunately beyond that, Torture Test is a bit of a test to sit through as the monotonous nature of the songwriting blurs the entire album together into a mush. While the cover of "Folsom Prison Blues" is certainly a hoot, their original material is just barely average at best. The band is more intent on bludgeoning their point home than offering any sort of subtleties or hooks. I'm certain there is a segment of metal listening audiences who prefer their music delivered with the grace of two rhinos waltzing in a ballroom dancing competition, but for me there is little to offer here. I can report the production is very good and there's some minor appeal in the throwback to older thrash metal, but beyond that this record excites me as much as my impending visit to the doctor about my stomach problems.
review from Satan Stole My Teddybear

THE SLUDGE
CLICK HERE

OLD DEMO REVIEWS
Cronic Disorder/Reduced to Ruins
This band was created almost four years ago in Charlotte, North Carolina and since then have played over 100 live shows, mostly in the Southeast. Maintaining a busy schedule they are currently doing more live shows, working on a new CD release and also contributing to two compilations, one being a Kiss tribute. Reduced To Ruins is a demo tape featuring five new songs of aggressive metal bringing similarities to Pantera and Machine Head among others. Intense, fast tempo and with groovy/thrash riffs and technical solos. PO Box 141, Cherryville, NC 28021
review by Andreas Katsambas / Ill Literature

Cronic Disorder/Reduced to Ruins
Packaging 7 Production 7.5 Music 8
This is a great five song tape out of Cherryville, NC. Mosh fucking pit, do I need to say more? Sure I do, this is some violent, pissed off music and I like it. There is some really good song writing on this tape. Imagine MOD meets Pantera, with some Kreator thrown in for shits and giggles. Got the picture? The song "Reduced to Ruins" is my favorite track. If you like it aggressive, get this tape. * HK
review from Underground Metal Zine Online

Cronic Disorder - Reduced to Ruins
I don't like to review tapes without having them on hand, but some knucklehead has my copy. Apparently, they dig it, too. Luckily, I've listened to this tape at least 10 times since I got it less than a month ago. Cronic Disorder could possibly be called thrash. If you only listen to growling -type bands, this may not be for you. But if you, like me, have been listening to heavy music since '83 or so, this will be well-received. Everything about this tape oozes class, from the the tri-fold tape cover (b&w) with lyrics to the cool-ass intos on several of the songs. It's very well-produced, in my opinion. First of all, drummer Brad Sellers kicks my ass. From the very first second he started playing, my inferiority complex deepened. The dual guitar attack is sharp, with James Ford and Chip Whitesides each having a unique sound, yet blending well together. Doug Canipe handles bass and vocal duties, and does a damn good job. Punchy bass breaks in a couple of places set my hair on end. I like Doug's vocals, but I can't seem to find a description of them that I'm happy with. Kind of hardcore/metal, almost a New Orleans style. I can hear a slight Slayer influence in there (although who ISN'T influenced by Slayer?). As far as Kiss goes, I'm not familiar with much of their work, but I'm sure it's there in attitude. Like I just told Doug, if I wasn't nearly 30, I'd be carving Cronic Disorder into my arm. On top of all this, I was sent a second copy, after the USPS lost my first one (Stolen, I'm sure. Someone's going to be listening to it when they machine gun everyone at McDonald's). And I also got 2 stickers, with artwork by the infamous Tapeworm. All this for a crappy GORTICIAN practice tape! What noble bastards! I think the song 'Reduced to Ruins' is an instant classic, and has a line that chilled me more than any gore/splatter/death/black lyric ever did: "When we become one who'll be the enemy??? All of us...All of us" I think the other highlights are 'Lifeless' and 'Violent Times...Violent Minds'. 'Course, that's 3/5ths of the tape that I'm calling my favorites. Those are just the songs that stick in my head the most. Now I want a full-length CD...I'll even pay for the next one.
review by Eternal Frost Webzine

Cherryville's CRONIC DISORDER plunder about in the death metal vein with apparant glee. Spinning chaotic yarns as thick and nasty as those from Sepultura and Morbid Angel, they've emerged with one of Charlotte's most unique sounds.
review from Creative Loafing Magazine

Cronic Disorder - "Reduced to Ruins" (5 song demo, 1997)
"You wanted the best.....You're shit outta luck..... The drunkest band in the world!!!!" the Cronic Disorder Internet Home Page proudly claims. Cronic Disorder is a four piece thrash/death band from outside Charlotte, NC, that released their second demo"Reduced to Ruins" last winter. The tape has a cool, jagged band logo on the cover and a multi-panel black and white insert withlyrics and a picture of the band. The music is Slayer style thrash with death style vocals, a combination that Cronic Disorder pulls off very well. The riffs are solid and chunky, and the sound is gritty, dark, and in-your-face, which fits the music. The dual lead guitar work is fast and frantic, and Doug Canipe's death growl is angry but clear. "Reduced to Ruins" opens the tape with a rapid fire double bass riff. At the end of the tune, the chorus slows down a bit, which is OK, slowing down for contrast. Then it slows down more and gets a little heavier, which is pretty cool, even slower, but theyll stop soon, right? No - it slows down even more, really heavy and fat, until the riff is plodding along, one note at a time, painfully slow -- that's where it gets heavy as shit. It's a simple idea, hardly original, but they use it very well. Overall, this is a very good demo for thrash/death fans.
review by Scott Andrews

Tribute cd's seem to be a big thing in the 90's. A lot of them feature big name artists who lend their skills to pay tribute to bands who have influenced them over the years. Music From "The Folder" definitely isn't that and that's exactly what makes it so cool. Completely unknown musicians with a variety of talent (from beginner to professional) participated in this project. They pay tributeto Eric Carr with the aim of donating all profits to a cancer charity in the name of the late Kiss drummer. The lightheartedness and energy that these true KISS fans deliver beats talent and million dollar production any day. You can even have a good chuckle when you hear the Loungelizardboots spoken word-coffee house version of "War Machine." It's so silly you've got to love it! The pornographic version of "Sweet Pain" from Mistress Julie is most enjoyable also. But don't get me wrong, there are some really excellent renditions here too, especially The Mass' version of "Got Love For Sale," Kathy LaBonte's moving keyboard instrumental version of "NakedCity," Detroyer's perfect pick "Creatures of The Night," Nile Carter's beautifully vocalized "See You Tonite," Jurassik Army's powerfultake on "God Of Thunder," and Cronic Disorder's blistering version of "All American Man." Cronic Disorder's Doug Canipe's vicious vocal assault in combination with the double-bass-slam-your-head-into-the-nearest-wall drumming of Brad Sellars add an aggressive thrash punch to this track. They play it the way it should have been played by Kiss in the first place. So, while this 20 track disc wasn't meant to be perfection, it is definitely a most enjoyable listen.
Chris Dugan/Metal Dreams - Issue #2

"All American Man" - Cronic Disorder - kicking serious ass and taking names! Brad Sellars' THUNDERING double bass kit and machine gun snare is the clear standout of this monstrous track, though Doug Canipe's vocals more than keep the pace! Not to be outdone, James Ford and Chip Whitesides have laid down some absolutely brilliant, buzzsaw guitar work, ripping through anything and everything in their path! Watch out Nile, these snarling electric monsters are hot on your acoustic heels as my second favorite track on the disc. And hopefully Cronic, after a disappointing absence from Creatures of the Net, will show back up for KAOL's last stand on "The Spirit of '78."
review from www.kissasylum.com


review from Tangents Magazine