Album Review: Powder Chutes

The debut, self-titled album from Wanaka young guns Powder Chutes is a well anticipated release amongst the rock scene of Aotearoa. Having come off a successful year of independent touring and opening shows for NZs favourite American band Highly Suspect, these lads are waving the flag and carrying the torch for modern rock and roll. As with any debut album, this represents everything Powder Chutes. Six brand new tracks, many released as singles throughout the last few years while the rest are re-recorded from their previous EP Sweet Noise Pollution. A blueprint of all their work so far & in just a few short years, they have found their sound, refined it and taken the ground running, blending a competent mix of hard rock with their punk, metal and alternative influences surging throughout. This album is incredibly well produced, international level. The mix is slick, defined & still captures the live essence of the band, plus 12 full tracks on an album in 2025, let’s do this!

One thing to take note, these guys know how to write a hook. They have a swagger and confidence that oozes through from their songs. The first half of the album is smashed with the singles, beginning with Merchants. The song is polished and stylistically aggressive in its attack. It’s songs like this where Powder Chutes have honed their craft, it’s a hard rock track with big vocal hooks and groovy half time riffs. Man and machine again, not sorry, is one of many sing along moments throughout our journey. Launching right into Straights, the song has a dance pace, Led Zeppelin style guitar with lead vocalist Henry McConnell fitting in as many lyrics as possible into the chorus. This song is a party anthem banger, two and half minutes of non-stop action with McConnell screaming his lungs out right to the end. Vendetta, the first single release in 2025 begins with an acoustic guitar before ascending into a darker toned verse & off beat rhythm. The chorus is heavy, crunchy and carries big harmonies musically, melodically and vocally. Blood on the walls of all our sons and daughters is delivered like a sermon, an intense and impassioned outro to another big number. Scalpel, follows suit, continuing the upbeat, driven feel with some of the heaviest riffs on the record, the guitar solo is epic & well written within the context of the song. The arrangements of all the songs are jam packed with clever ideas, transitions and constantly keep the songs elevated and never losing focus or punch.

Blind is a slightly slower number, with a big half time feel throughout and featuring subtle but clever drum parts that keep the transitions exciting. Moths To The Flame (read the review here) was their first big release in 2023 and a sign of things to come. Dutchies (Shapeshifter cover) is an out the box cover. Dutchies at this point is festival classic, it’s cemented in the DNA of the NZ electronica scene, so to hear a rock version was intriguing. Taking a well-known song and making it your own but still keeping true to songs spirit and soul is so much better than a carbon copy attempt. It’s fun, obviously upbeat and well done. Mellow Song is not a mellow song, yet Haunted has a beautifully mellow introduction, the chord progressions remind me of Neon Ballroom era Silverchair, before hitting into a power pop rock up tempo feel, the overall song has an emotional tone, raw feel, plus a shredding guitar solo from Clarke West.

Moving into Singing It Off, the boys move into some four on the floor, solid backbone rhythm with stadium rock riff action. Defo some Gunners/Ac/dc inspiration. Dude… knows how to shred, this song is all about the guitar! It’s short and sweet. Take It Or Leave It is another song that contains all of those prominent Powder Chutes elements. I love the prominence of the bass guitar; it’s being used for its purpose. As a one guitar band it’s so important & bassist Otis Murphy delivers a distinct and stand out performance throughout. A solid rhythmic foundation, locked in but also dipping in and out of the pocket with drummer Archie Orbell, thus allowing the guitar to flourish with solos and melodic riffs and the vocals to soar and ooze melody throughout. The Other was a surprise album closer. The ballad of the album, containing all the key elements of the classic rock ballad and swaying hands in the air. The vocals are a standout with amazing backing harmonies. A bold move to place it last but like this album, it’s full of bold moves and an arsenal of big songs, hooks and fun.

Be sure to check out Powder Chutes live, these guys know how to deliver the party. Rock and roll is alive in 2025! Hail Powder Chutes!