Split Chain - 'Scatterbrain'
Future alternative titans Split Chain bound from strength to strength in their new release ’Scatterbrain’.
Bristol's hottest metal prospect are back at it again and just keep pouring points into every aspect of their skill tree, as they release their newest track and first since their debut 2025 album ‘motionblur’. Split Chain have had to learn on the job for most of their careers, having only formed in 2020 and only growing since their inception, they have moved at a make-or-break pace, and it’s very clear that they have indeed chosen the former. With every release and every new tour, they have developed their sound and live show to a point where the previous show becomes incomparable, and this single does exactly that yet again. Incorporating a heavier shoegaze influence and deep emotive atmospheres, this song sees them explore new territory without it getting messy.
The instrumental of this song builds on the already well-established tone set in the previous EP and album, but just expands everything; there’s more noise, more chaos, more flare, each pairing perfectly. This new breed of chaos is hard to balance, and it’s very easy for a band to get lost in the swirling of the riff and the accompanying atmosphere, but ’Scatterbrain’ manages to flawlessly execute its goals and adds yet another string to the band’s bow. The electronically fused background effects feel very reminiscent of some newer Bring Me The Horizon tracks, but with a stomping and powerful injection of Nu-metal voicing and chord progression. It’s truly brilliant to see a new band that have caught wind in their sails with a specific sound continue to build on their sound instead of playing it safe. This creative bravery is carried throughout its runtime and completely combusts during the ensuing breakdown of the closing minute. This final gasp sees the band draw all of their influence into one brilliantly crafted medley of furious notation, and is performed flawlessly.
This track only continues to get better and better every single time it’s played back; every section gains depth and becomes even more exciting once revisited. Alongside the announcement of this track and its counterpart ’Sylvia (I won’t belong to you)’, comes news of an extensive UK tour that will certainly see the band stun with their brutal and spine-tingling flavours of metal as they continue to grow and carve their path. These tracks truly have me aching for more Bristol-based brilliance, and I am truly proud to say that we are more than just cider, Idles, and that one big bridge, and soon you’ll all realise that when Split Chain continue to take over the world.
Words by Josh Pook
