In this not so perfect world, somehow a band comes along that perfectly combines the intensity of Tool, the sledgehammer riffing of Helmet and the melodic sense of Nirvana. That band would be Chevelle. Formed in 1995, in the Chicago suburb of Grayslake, Illinois, the band currently consists of band members and brothers: Pete Loeffler (lead vocals and Guitar), Sam Loeffler (drums and percussion) and Pete and Sam’s brother in law Dean Bernardini (bass). It’s a family thing with these guys.
On their eighth release they don’t waste any time getting down to business. The guitar riff on album opener “Door to Door Cannibals” plays out like a Pantera outtake circa 1992.
Things don’t slow down, they actually speed up in double time on track two, “Enemies.” Tom Morello could have easily churned out this riff on any Rage album.
“Joyride (Omen)” has the perfect anarchic blend of super heavy hard core punk and melodic Nevermind era Nirvana.
Things slow down a bit on “Warhol’s Showbiz.” Or perhaps the band doesn’t “slow down,” as much as it just brings a lighter groove on this track. And groove is all over this record.
“Punchline” is the closest the band veers toward ballad territory. It features a processed/compressed drum track, haunting vocals and tasteful acoustic backup guitar. The vocals, especially during the chorus, recall the vulnerability of Trent Reznor on Pretty Hate Machine.
This is easily one of my favorite releases of the year. Solid melodic and heavy songs. All brought to life by a matured, powerful, concise power trio. Three mid-western dudes bringing it, and bringing it strong. Die-hard fans will be happy. Newcomers will be happy.
The North Corridor track listing
- “Door to Door Cannibals”
- “Enemies”
- “Joyride (Omen)”
- “Rivers”
- “Last Days”
- “Young Wicked”
- “Warhol’s Showbiz”
- “Punchline”
- “Got Burned”
- “Shot From a Cannon”
- “A Miracle” (Bonus Track)
Check out Chevelle on their co-headlining tour with Bush this summer:
Jul 15 Chicago Open Air // July 15-17 Bridgeview, IL
Jul 16 Rock USA Oshkosh, WI
Jul 18 Uptown Theater Kansas City, MO
Jul 19 Sokol Auditorium Omaha, NE
Jul 21 Mooddance Jam Walker, MN
Jul 23 CHEVELLE & BUSH (CO-HEADLINE) Cincinnati, OH
Jul 24 CHEVELLE & BUSH (CO-HEADLINE) Sterling Heights, MI
Jul 26 CHEVELLE & BUSH (CO-HEADLINE) Indianapolis, IN
Jul 27 CHEVELLE & BUSH (CO-HEADLINE) Columbus, OH
Jul 29 CHEVELLE & BUSH (CO-HEADLINE) Pittsburgh, PA
Jul 30 ROVERFEST Cleveland, OH
Jul 31 The National Richmond, VA
Aug 02 The Paramount Huntington, NY
Aug 03 CHEVELLE & BUSH (CO-HEADLINE) Boston, MA
Aug 05 CHEVELLE & BUSH (CO-HEADLINE) Asbury Park, NJ
Aug 07 The Rapids Theatre Niagara Falls, NY
Aug 09 CHEVELLE & BUSH (CO-HEADLINE) Charlotte, NC
Aug 10 Cone Denim Entertainment Center Greensboro, NC
Aug 11 Bethlehem Musikfest Bethlehem, PA
Aug 13 CHEVELLE & BUSH (CO-HEADLINE) Portland, ME
Aug 14 CHEVELLE & BUSH (CO-HEADLINE) Baltimore, MD
Sep 08 Myth Maplewood,
Sep 10 High Elevation Fest Englewood, CO
Sep 11 The Cotillion Ballroom Wichita, KS
Sep 13 Mercury Ballroom Louisville, KY
Sep 14 The Orange Peel Asheville, NC
Sep 16 The Norva Norfolk, VA
Sep 17 Revolution Rock Festival Preston, CT
Sep 18 Monster Energy Rock Allegiance Chester, PA
Sep 21 Iron City Birmingham, AL
Sep 22 War Memorial Nashville, TN
Sep 24 TEXAS MUTINY Fort Worth, TX
Sep 25 NRG Park Houston, TX
Oct 02 Piere’s Fort Wayne, IN
Oct 23 Aftershock Festival Sacramento, CA
Chevelle’s Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/chevelle/
Follow Chevelle on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ChevelleInc
Buy North Corridor on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-north-corridor/id1112312335
