CD Review: Chelsea Grin - Evolve

Artist: Chelsea Grin

Album Name: Evolve [EP]

Year Released: 2012

Genre: Deathcore/Metalcore

Producers/Label: Artery Recordings

Rating: 9/10

Chelsea Grin is a 6-piece American Deathcore band formed in Salt Lake City, Utah. The band formed in 2007 with members Alex Koehler and guitarist Chris Kilbourn. The music and lyrical content from Chelsea Grin are viewed as controversial and touch on various topics such as esotericism, spiritual and transcendental issues, social issues and death.The band has released two albums and two EP’s to date, with a third studio album to be released in 2014.

The current line-up for the band consists of Alex Koehler (Vocals), Jake Harmond (Rhythm Guitar), Dan Jones (Rhythm Guitar), David Flinn (Bass), Jason Richardson (Lead Guitar, Programming), and Pablo Viveros (Drums, Backing Vocals). Up to six members have been switched, left or kicked out of the band in the nearly seven years of their career, with Alex Koehler being the only member of the band that’s been around since its inception.

In previous albums like Desolation of Eden and My Damnation, there were various themes of darkness, damnation and Hell. Touching on lyrics that would question religion, hierarchy and social purpose, the band would capture an audience with similar perspectives and beliefs. Evolve consists of five songs, all of which have a somewhat similar theme that involves Koehler’s darkness as well as his fascination with the Jewish, mythological demon Lilith, who was said to be the Biblical Adam’s first wife.

The Review

Evolve is an album which holds a lot of atmosphere and one that carries through its dark themes and sounds rather well. The classic tremolo-picking style is incorporated quite often for the depth and emphasis on old-school influences of dark-themed music like Slayer and Black Dahlia Murder. Catchy breakdowns influenced by the gloomy sounds of black metal are also quite frequent – ensuring the element of youthful ‘core’ sounds are present within the fusing of the old- and new-school genre’s.

Vocally, Koehler blows away Deathcore audiences world-wide (or at least those who enjoy high-pitched shrieks combined with low, guttural growling) and sets an entirely new benchmark for all the vocalists in the genre that adopt the particular style. The content of the lyrics consist of deep criticism toward himself, as well as a song based on standing up toward bullying – as he has stated himself that he was bullied and seen as an outcast while growing up. The song S.H.O.T is testament to his feelings toward this: “Now it's time we do or die. Rise. We wont change a f**king thing. Fight. Break our chains and we will rise. Rise. I'm just as sick as you believe.” Throughout the rest of the EP, songs like Lilith and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, show Koehler’s fascination or desire toward Lilith, ”I'd give it up for just one touch: To see your face, to feel your lust calling me. She won't stop calling. I feel her crawling inside. She won't stop calling.” In terms of self-reflection and Koehler’s famous way of criticising himself, while subtly reflecting society, he writes in the lyrics to Confession -”Trust in me and I will break you, trust in me, and I'll only hurt you. You can't handle what I am, I wish you didn't see, but my mask must be put down. Here's to my hopes and dreams.”

The EP would also see the introduction of a new drummer to the band Pablo Viveros, whose skills on double-pedal and percussion are of pure brilliance. In the first track, The Second Coming, there is a beautiful introduction of his ability to compliment the rhythms and complexity of the sound. The style he plays is groovy and powerful, with each kick complimenting every breakdown, riff, or D’jent-signature sounds.

The guitar work and overall production was brilliant and not overdone. The change in style from My Damnation can see Chelsea Grin with abundant lead pieces and an obvious change in riffing style and sound equipment. This follows the new trend that is being heard within Deathcore bands like Born of Osiris and Breakdown of Sanity.

Personally, the album could have had more power in the music. The amount of slams and breakdowns were not nearly enough for me, however their progression of style is still noticeably unique and dynamic, opposed to doing the same thing over. The voice that is Alex Koehler is still wonderful to my ears and creates an oxymoronic sense of power and peace. Evolve is an excellent EP introducing a new dimension to Chelsea Grin and Deathcore as a whole.