>>19812933
Okay, first identify which parts of the hobby you're interested in. For instance, are you interested in the modeling and painting aspect? Are you interested in having some fun games with your bros? Or are you interested in winning (this one is not advisable, WH40k has never been totally balanced and never will be.)
If you feel that the modeling and painting aspect might be fun for you, CHOOSE YOUR ARMY BASED ON WHAT YOU THINK LOOKS COOLEST. Honestly, you are going to spend the vast majority of your time making your little dudes look really cool, and then a much smaller amount of time actually playing with them on the table.
If you don't really care about aesthetics, and just want to game with some really shitty speedpaints or grey/black models, then just go with the one that sounds like it would be the most fun to play. Make a fluffy army list and play it against your buddies. If everybody is on the same page and takes lists that they think are cool, fun and thematic, then honestly balance shouldn't be important to you. You can have a lot of fun wargaming regardless of whether you win or lose, as long as everyone involved has the right mindset.
I would guess that you're gravitating towards Chaos. They have pretty cool models and loads of potential for cool modeling/painting if that's something you're interested in. Yes, their army book is pretty stripped down right now compared to what it used to be, but you can still make fluffy lists - the new Allies rules make this even easier to achieve.
If you're only going to be playing against powergamers who are in it for the win and not the fun, I'd suggest trying to find some other people to play with. Choose your army for you, not for them.