Chrome Division

The idea for the band was conceived by Shagrath (Stian Thoresen) and Lex Icon (Stian Arnesen), both members of Dimmu Borgir at the time, in 1999.{{cite web|url= http://www.rockdetector.com/interviews/artist,48651.sm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070930193129/http://www.rockdetector.com/interviews/artist%2C48651.sm|archive-date= 30 September 2007|title= Chrome Division interview (Shagrath)|accessdate= 19 August 2007|last= Morgan|first= Anthony|date= 26 June 2006|publisher= Rockdetector|url-status= dead}} This consisted of the two musicians jamming after Dimmu Borgir rehearsals. With Shagrath on guitars and Lex Icon on drums, they recorded some material, but could take it no further due to their commitments to their other bands.{{cite web |url= http://www.nuclearblastusa.com/bands/chromedivision.html|title= Chrome Division Biography|accessdate=19 August 2007 |year= 2006|publisher= Nuclear Blast|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928015037/http://www.nuclearblastusa.com/bands/chromedivision.html |archive-date = 28 September 2007|url-status=dead}} Shagrath later said that Dimmu Borgir will always be his priority.{{cite web |url= http://www.live-metal.net/interviews_dimmuborgir.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070520031818/http://www.live-metal.net/interviews_dimmuborgir.html|url-status= usurped|archive-date= 20 May 2007|title= Dimmu Borgir: Sharing Their Sacrifice (interview with Shagrath)|accessdate=19 August 2007 |last= Maki|first= Jeff|date= 9 May 2007|publisher= Live-Metal.net}}

It was not until mid-2004 that the band was properly formed. Shagrath and Lex Icon once again met up, and by this time Lex Icon had left Dimmu Borgir and founded The Kovenant. Shagrath had free time due to Dimmu Borgir taking a break after Ozzfest. Shagrath got in contact with bassist Björn Luna (of Ashes to Ashes) and invited him to join them. The trio formed the base of Chrome Project. Luna then contacted Eddie Guz (of The Carburetors) who joined as vocalist, after Jarle Bernhoft of Span had to decline. Guitarist Ricky Black was the final member to be drafted in. Shortly afterwards, Lex Icon was replaced with drummer Tony White of Minis Tirith, because he was missing a large number of practice sessions, which was holding the band back. Although Shagrath has said that he never meant for Chrome Division to be a side project, many critics have referred to it as such.{{cite web |url= http://www.metal-invader.com/db/reviews-3194.html|title= Chrome Division - Doomsday Rock 'n' Roll|accessdate=2007-08-20 |date= 2006-08-08|publisher= Metal Invader}} Björn Luna has stated that he considers Chrome Division to be a "proper band" rather than a side project.{{cite web |url= http://www.metaleagle.com/interviews.php?action=show&id=143&PHPSESSID=8993a87adfc69bf4 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070929100647/http://www.metaleagle.com/interviews.php?action=show&id=143&PHPSESSID=8993a87adfc69bf4 |archive-date= 29 September 2007|title= Chrome Division- Interview with Björn Luna|accessdate=20 August 2007 |last= Smirnioti|first= Marilena|publisher= MetalEagle.com}}

It was this lineup that entered the Panzer Studio in Oslo to record the band's first album, Doomsday Rock 'n Roll, on 4 December 2005.{{cite web|url= http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=48531|title= Dimmu Borgir Frontman's Chrome Division Side-Project Sign With Nuclear Blast|accessdate= 20 August 2007|date= 18 February 2006|publisher= Blabbermouth.net|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071001005332/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=48531|archive-date= 1 October 2007}} The album was produced by Björn Bergesen,{{cite web |url= http://www.stormbringer.at/reviews.php?druck=416|title= Review: Chrome Division – Doomsday Rock'n'Roll (CD)|accessdate=21 August 2007 |date= 21 July 2006|publisher= Stormbringer|language= de}} who was chosen for his commitment to the band and the fact that he was a fan of them. Chrome Division announced that they had signed with Nuclear Blast on 1 February 2006.{{cite web |url= http://www.chromedivision.com/news.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060221190219/http://www.chromedivision.com/news.html |archive-date= 21 February 2006|title= CD Signed to Nuclear Blast|accessdate=21 August 2007 |date= 1 February 2006|publisher= Chrome Division}} It was through Nuclear Blast that Doomsday Rock N' Roll was released on 8 August 2006, in North America,{{cite web |url= http://www.nuclearblastusa.com/bands/chromedivision/doomsday.html|title= Chrome Division Discography|accessdate=19 August 2007 |year= 2006|publisher= Nuclear Blast|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928015050/http://www.nuclearblastusa.com/bands/chromedivision/doomsday.html |archive-date = 28 September 2007|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url= http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=56035|title= Chrome Divisions's 'Doomsday Rock 'N Roll' Enters Norwegian Chart at No. 31|accessdate= 20 August 2007|date= 4 August 2006|publisher= Blabbermouth.net|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071001004626/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=56035|archive-date= 1 October 2007}} and slightly earlier in Norway, where it entered the charts at number 31. It received numerous positive reviews,{{cite web|url= http://www.live-metal.net/cdreviews_chromedivision_doomsdayrocknroll.html|title= 'Doomsday Rock 'N Roll' (Nuclear Blast)|accessdate= 19 August 2007|last= Maki|first= Jeff|year= 2006|publisher= Live-Metal.net|archive-date= 1 February 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140201151421/http://www.live-metal.net/cdreviews_chromedivision_doomsdayrocknroll.html|url-status= usurped}}{{cite web |url= http://www.rocksomething.com/reviews/reviewChromeDiv.html|title= Chrome Division – Doomsday Rock 'n' Roll Review|last= Harrold|first= Adam|year= 2006|publisher= Rock Something|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014171704/http://www.rocksomething.com/reviews/reviewChromeDiv.html|archive-date=14 October 2007}} and some that were less positive.{{cite web |url= http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/reviews/albums/2-4230_chrome_division_doomsday_rock_n_roll.aspx|title= Chrome Division – _Doomsday Rock 'n' Roll_|accessdate=19 August 2007 |last= Smit|first= Jackie|date= 20 June 2006|publisher= Chronicles of Chaos}} Jackie Smit, of Chronicles of Chaos, said "the band seemingly ends up having more [fun] than the listener". Although the album was described as being unoriginal by reviewers, Live-Metal.net's Jeff Maki claims that "what makes this album special is the high level of talent with which it is performed". Adam Harrold, of Rock Something, finished his review with the thought that the album "might not be smartest record of 2006, but it is the sweatiest." Chrome Division also recorded a music video for the song "Serial Killer" to publicise the album. The video was directed by Patric Ullaeus, a Swedish director.

Although there was no official release on the subject, Shagrath said in an interview with Live-Metal.net that Chrome Division had several new songs post Doomsday Rock 'n Roll, and that the band would probably try to produce a new album in mid-2007. Björn Luna also said that there was to be a second album in an interview on MetalEagle.com and explained that the band has signed a three-album contract with Nuclear Blast.

On 15 January 2008, Chrome Division announced they had finished recording their second album. It was recorded between 7 and 14 January 2008 at Studio Fredman.{{cite web|url= http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=65152680&blogID=347844772|title= New Album Recorded|accessdate= 4 February 2008|date= 15 January 2008|work= Official blog|publisher= Chrome Division|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090110074815/http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view|archive-date= 10 January 2009}} The album, entitled Booze, Broads and Beelzebub, was released on 18 July 2008, with the band claiming it is "a much better sounding album than the first one".{{cite news |first= Peggy|last= Tsui|title= Chrome Division to Release New Album in July|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=36629|publisher= MetalUnderground.com|date= 14 May 2008|accessdate=15 May 2008}}

In addition, the band issued a statement on their MySpace confirming preparation for their third release.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=65152680&blogId=478001733 |title=Rumours of a bright future. van Chrome Division op Myspace |publisher=Blogs.myspace.com |accessdate=7 December 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708013243/http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=65152680&blogId=478001733 |archive-date=8 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}

File:Chrome Division IMGP3160 smial wp.jpg

Shagrath cites Chrome Division's influences as Black Label Society, Spiritual Beggars and AC/DC, and says that he wanted the band to sound like an '80s rock 'n roll heavy metal band. He also talked about the band trying adhere to that image, through lyrical content and such.{{cite web|url= http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=848|title= Doomsday Rock 'N Roll (Nuclear Blast)|accessdate= 20 August 2007|last= Alisoglu|first= Scott|publisher= Blabbermouth.net|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071001005747/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=848|archive-date= 1 October 2007}} Reviewers compared the sound of the music to Motörhead and Black Label Society and compared the "fun" attitude of the band to the punk band Turbonegro. Martin Popoff called Chrome Division a biker metal band.{{cite web |url=http://bravewords.com/reviews/chrome-division-doomsday-rock-n-roll |title=CHROME DIVISION - DOOMSDAY ROCK 'N ROLL |last=Popoff |first=Martin |author-link=Martin Popoff |date=24 July 2006 |website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |access-date=23 September 2018 |quote=The theme is biker metal, along the lines of Motorhead and Tank meets Turbonegro}} Other common labels include hard rock and heavy metal.{{Cite web |last=Wögerbauer |first=Christian |date=13 January 2015 |title=CHROME DIVISION: touren durch Deutschland |url=https://vampster.com/news/chrome-division-touren-durch-deutschland/ |access-date=30 April 2024 |website=Vampster |language=de}} Shagrath has said that future releases from the band will be "musically the same thing", but that they will "try to add different ingredients" and they may also change the lyrical content.

• Shagrath (Stian Thoresen) – rhythm guitar (2004–present), bass (2017–present)
• Tony White (Tony Kirkemo) – drums (2004–present)
• Eddie Guz (Edwin Gustoff) – vocals (2004–2009, 2017–present)
• Kjell Aage "Damage" Karlsen – lead guitar (2012–present)

• Lex Icon (Stian Arnesen) – drums (2004)
• Shady Blue (Pål Mathiesen) – vocals (2009–2017)
• Björn Luna – bass (2004–2012)
• Ricky Black (Rikard Wikstrand) – lead guitar (2004–2012)
• Ogee (Åge Trøite) – bass (2012–2017)

• Doomsday Rock 'n Roll (2006), Nuclear Blast
• Booze, Broads and Beelzebub (2008), Nuclear Blast
• 3rd Round Knockout (2011), Nuclear Blast{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=67023 |title=Chrome Division Posts New Song, "Bulldogs Unleashed" Online, Reveals New Album Tracklisting |publisher=Metalunderground.com |date=9 November 2011 |accessdate=7 December 2011}}
• Infernal Rock Eternal (2014), Nuclear Blast
• One Last Ride (2018), Nuclear Blast

{{Reflist}}

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• [http://www.chromedivision.com/ Official website]
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Category:Norwegian heavy metal musical groups

Category:Norwegian hard rock musical groups

Category:Musical groups established in 2004

Category:2004 establishments in Norway

Category:Norwegian musical quintets

Category:Musical groups from Oslo

Category:Nuclear Blast artists