CHAOS REIGNS: WARP-SPEED HARDCORE

BILLY PADMORE AND JASON HEIGHTMAN ON HELLFEST, NEW MUSIC AND TOCSTOCK: THE REVENGE

In this special episode of the Ragamuffin Music Podcast, James meets Chaos Reigns bassist Billy Padmore and vocalist Jason Heightman ahead of the band’s appearance at TOCstock: The Revenge on Friday 9 October.

Billy and Jason trace Chaos Reigns back to their unlikely beginnings as a university project and explain how the current lineup emerged from the pandemic with a new sense of direction.

They also discuss the band’s distinctive fusion of chaotic hardcore and mathcore, and the influences that run through their sound — from Converge, The Dillinger Escape Plan and Every Time I Die to Norma Jean and Slipknot.

With new material taking shape, the pair reveal why a debut album feels like the next logical step for Chaos Reigns and why, when the rest of the industry moves in one direction, their instinct is often to go the other way.

There’s also the small matter of Hellfest. Billy and Jason recount their nerve-racking journey through No Sleep Till Hellfest and the shock of being named joint winners.

Closer to home, they explain why live events like TOCstock matter, what makes audiences outside London so receptive, and what the crowd can expect when Chaos Reigns hit the stage in Banbury next month.

Find out now.

ABOUT THE RAGAMUFFIN MUSIC PODCAST

Hosted by Alex, James and Dan, the Ragamuffin Music Podcast is your fortnightly deep dive into the best and freshest alternative music.

Covering everything from up-and-coming bands to established heavy hitters, the lads bring together album reviews, festival previews, gig vlogs, exclusive interviews and more.

As our official media partners, the Ragamuffins are regular fixtures at TEN OF CLUBS events, including TOCstock and Fresh Blood, interviewing bands and capturing the energy and community of the UK alternative scene.

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▶︎ Header image by Dan Landsburgh