Up next on the chopping block is the band Chevelle. Now I’ve pretty much only heard their two radio hits and I’m not the biggest fan of those songs. However I’ve seen them once in 04 and I just saw them recently at Aftershock and they were pretty good so with that let’s take a look……
Point #1- I gotta say, I actually was not expecting much from this one but I actually enjoyed it a lot more than I would’ve thought. It’s got some cool riffs but it definitely has that late 90’s feel to it. Still though I’d definitely recommend giving this a spin. I’ll give it 7/10
Standouts: Prove To You, Long, Mia
Wonder What’s Next- not gonna lie I was kind of expecting a little bit more from this album. I mean, this is the album that gave us that song The Red and Send The Pain Below and I have to be honest those songs are incredibly overplayed. Those two songs are not bad songs but again they’re just extremely overplayed and I really cannot listen to them anymore. But those songs aside the album is just OK. Like it’s one of those good not great albums. It’s ironic that this album is called Wonder What’s Next because that’s exactly what I was thinking while I was listening to it. I’ll go ahead and give this album 7/10.
Standouts: Comfortable Liar, Forfeit, (High) Visibility
This Type Of Thinking (Could Do Us In)- I remember when this album came out. This was back when I had my very first car that I bought with my own money and also when KROQ used to actually play good music. I believe the lead single Vitamin R was in heavy rotation. That’s another one of those songs that I just couldn’t really get into but again that song aside the rest of the album is a slight step up. I actually remember seeing them at that KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas and they were fine. This one does remind me a little bit of the previous record, but it is slightly heavier. I will say that when this album came out in 2004 I could see how it got overshadowed by a lot of other heavier rock/metal albums. 2004 was a great year for rock and metal and this one would probably be one of the lesser-known albums from that year. Overall again a slight step up and I definitely enjoyed this one more so I’m gonna go ahead and give it 7.5/10.
Standouts: The Clincher, Another Know It All, Emotional Drought
Vena Sera- this one does have a bit more of a melodic tinge to it, but it seems like it’s structured really well. Again, another album of theirs that steps it up from the last album. There’s definitely a bit more cohesion on here and I actually enjoyed this one more so than the last two. I’ll give this album 7.5/10
Standouts: Antisaint, Straight Jacket Fashion, The Fad
Sci-Fi Crimes- OK I feel like now they’ve sort of started to find their stride a bit here. This one definitely up the game and I actually really really enjoyed this album. Well I don’t feel like it’s a continuation of the last album. It definitely feels like this should be the next step forward if that makes any kind of sense. Either way a great record and I’m giving it 8/10.
Standouts: Sleep Apnea, Highlands Apparition, Fell Into Your Shoes
Hats Off To The Bull- I feel like there’s a couple different styles going on here. I mean, you definitely hear some post grunge, alternative, and even some prog. Of all their albums thus far this one I would say is the most interesting sounding and again you can tell that they’re getting better with each new album and this one is no exception. I’ll give this one 8/10.
Standouts: Face To The Floor, Ruse, Clones
La Gárgola- I feel like if this band were to put out a metal record, this would probably be it. I really like the guitar work on here and it’s got just such a heavy tone. Another thing to note is that this is probably their darkest album. I would say if you wanna start with any of their albums, this might be the one to do so. Either way, I really enjoyed this album and I’m giving it 10/10.
Standouts: Ouija Board, Hunter Eats Hunter, Under The Knife
The North Corridor- again this is one of those albums that sort of picks up where the last one left off and just dials it up even further. It would seem that they are sticking to the kind of alternative rock meets metal sound and it absolutely works. It would see that they have found a formula that works and are sticking to it. I’m definitely giving this album another 10/10.
Standouts: Door To Door Cannibals, Last Days, Got Burned
Niratias- the thing with this album is well it does continue on the same path as the last couple of albums, it definitely has kind of an artsy vibe to it. That makes for a very interesting record, and there’s even some kind of stoner rock elements sprinkled throughout. Either way it’s a really cool and interesting record and I’m gonna go ahead and give it 9/10.
Standouts: So Long Mother Earth, Peach, Remember When
Bright As Blasphemy- again, kind of more of the same, but that’s not always necessarily a bad thing. Well, it’s not maybe as artsy as the previous record. This is just a good straight up solid hard rock album. Being that this album came out on August 21, 2025, I’d say it’s a pretty good contender for making it on my year-end list. Again what I really like about this record is the simplicity of it nothing super new or what have you but just a great rock record and I’ll give it 9/10
Standouts: Jim Jones- Cowards Pt.2, Karma Goddess, Al Phobias
I think it’s safe to say that this band definitely had a bit of a rocky start in terms of the quality of their albums, but you know they are all products of their time. This is definitely one of those bands that gets better with each new record. If you ever get the chance to see this band, live definitely do so because they really are a good live band and they are one of those that likes to play their radio hits and singles so you know you’re getting to hear your favorite songs. I actually really enjoyed their set at the 2025 Aftershock and I would absolutely be excited if they were on the bill with another band that I liked.
Final Grade: B+
Album Rankings:
- La Gárgola
- The North Corridor
- Niratias
- Bright As Blasphemy
- Sci-Fi Crimes
- Vena Sera
- This Type Of Thinking (Could Do Us In)
- Hats Off To The Bull
- Point #1
- Wonder What’s Next
