Chalk

Belfast based Chalk combines noise-oriented harsh post-punk sound with metallic industrial accents and elements of dance punk. They also make use of occasional electronic drone and intermittent bursts of dissonance to change things up along the way. The result is music that is raw and aggressive, but with a good range. Between vocalist Ross Cullen's deep, groaning voice and the dark tones the band inhabits, there is a diffused sense of bleakness to their songs. In that sense, their sonic palette is very similar to what bands like Enola Gay and Mandy, Indiana also bring to their work. The trio has been moving in the direction of techno textures in their recent recordings, which may suggest a trajectory they may be on. On their first full length album, Crystalpunk (2026), the band was down to a duo and showing some synth pop tendencies with Depeche Mode accents.