For three decades, Chevelle has been a monumental force of consistency and quality in the hard rock landscape. Navigating the shifting tides of the music industry, the Chicago-based outfit has maintained a fiercely loyal fanbase by never straying from the potent, riff-driven, and emotionally charged sound that defines them. Now, after a notable period of transition and anticipation, brothers Pete Loeffler and Sam Loeffler return with their tenth studio album, Bright as Blasphemy, an explosive declaration of artistic independence and renewed sonic vigor that proves their creative well is far from dry.
The context surrounding Bright as Blasphemy is crucial to understanding its power. Marking their departure from a long-standing major label partnership and their debut on Alchemy Recordings, a venture co-founded by Danny Wimmer and Dino Paredes, this album represents a significant turning point. This newfound freedom is immediately apparent, as the band sheds any semblance of external influence. The result is an album that feels profoundly and authentically Chevelle, capturing the raw, unfiltered energy of two brothers locked in perfect, thunderous synergy, a sound they have spent their entire career honing.
A defining characteristic of this new chapter is Pete Loeffler’s decision to step into the producer’s chair for the first time on a full-length record. This move proves to be a masterstroke, stripping away any potential studio gloss to expose the music’s muscular core. The production is crisp, direct, and immense, placing the listener right in the room with the band. Every crushing guitar tone, every intricate drum pattern, and every tormented vocal line is rendered with visceral clarity, creating a listening experience that is both immersive and wonderfully confrontational.
The album ignites with the menacing groove of “Pale Horse,” a track that serves as a perfect mission statement for what is to follow. It’s a slow-burning, heavy-hitting opener that immediately establishes a dark and foreboding atmosphere. Sam Loeffler’s drumming is a force of nature, providing a complex and powerful foundation over which Pete’s signature downtuned riffs and haunting melodies build into a colossal wall of sound. It’s a powerful and confident entry point that commands immediate attention from the listener.
The album’s thematic centerpiece is brilliantly introduced through its first two singles, a compelling two-part narrative. The first piece, “Rabbit Hole (Cowards, Pt. 1),” is a quintessential Chevelle anthem, driven by a churning, propulsive rhythm and a sense of spiraling urgency. It masterfully sets a lyrical stage concerned with misinformation and the dangerous allure of following ideologies without question, a theme that feels incredibly relevant in the modern era and showcases their continued lyrical depth and perception.
This narrative thread finds its devastating conclusion in “Jim Jones (Cowards, Pt. 2).” The track is an absolute juggernaut, heavier and more aggressive than its predecessor. By invoking such a dark figure from history, Chevelledraws a chilling parallel between past tragedies and present-day dangers. The song’s raw power is matched by the gravity of its subject matter, making it one of the most impactful and thought-provoking compositions in the band’s extensive catalog. Their summary, “History teaches us the longest rabbit hole has no end,” is a stark and chillingly effective epilogue.
While the album’s heavier moments are undeniably thrilling, Bright as Blasphemy is also a study in dynamics. Tracks like “Wolves (Love & Light)” demonstrate the band’s unparalleled ability to weave moments of melodic beauty into their aggressive soundscapes. Here, Pete Loeffler’s vocals shift from a guttural roar to a soaring, clean delivery, showcasing the incredible range and emotional depth that has long been a hallmark of his performance. This interplay between light and shade gives the record a rich texture and lasting resonance.
One cannot overstate the percussive brilliance of Sam Loeffler throughout this entire record. He is not merely a timekeeper; he is the engine and the architect of the band’s formidable rhythm section. On tracks like “Blood Out In The Fields,” his drumming is a masterclass in power and precision, navigating complex time signatures and explosive fills with an effortless grace that elevates the music’s intensity. His performance is a constant reminder that Chevelle’s power emanates from this fraternal, near-telepathic connection.
Lyrically, the album feels introspective and defiant, as summarized by the band’s own quote about the choice in how one passes their time. The title, Bright as Blasphemy, feels like a commentary on their own career path—a defiant act of creating art on their own terms, which in an industry built on conformity, can feel like a blasphemous act. It’s a bold and brilliant metaphor for the integrity and passion that fuel this exceptional record.
As the album closes with the final, echoing notes of a track like “Shocked At The End Of The World,” the listener is left with a profound sense of satisfaction. Bright as Blasphemy is not a reinvention of the Chevelle sound, but a powerful purification of it. By taking full creative control, the Loeffler brothers have crafted an album that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with their best work, delivering a collection of songs that are as intelligent and challenging as they are undeniably heavy.
In conclusion, Bright as Blasphemy is a resounding success and a powerful statement from a band that is operating at the peak of its creative powers. It is the sound of artistic liberation, a gripping collection of tracks that showcases the duo’s focused intensity and unwavering commitment to their craft. This album is a gift to their dedicated followers and a loud, clear signal that Chevelle remains an essential and formidable presence in modern rock music. It’s a haunting, heavy, and deeply rewarding journey.
My personal favorite tracks are the one-two punch of “Rabbit Hole (Cowards, Pt. 1)” and “Jim Jones (Cowards, Pt. 2)” for their narrative weight and sonic ferocity. “Pale Horse” is a perfect, brooding opener, and “Wolves (Love & Light)” showcases their dynamic range beautifully. The most interesting observation is how the reduction to a duo seems to have paradoxically made their sound even bigger and more focused, removing any excess to concentrate their power.
Rating: 9/10
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Tracklist:
01 – “Pale Horse”
02 – “Rabbit Hole (Cowards, Pt. 1)”
03 – “Jim Jones (Cowards, Pt. 2)”
04 – “Hallucinations”
05 – “Wolves (Love & Light)”
06 – “Karma Goddess”
07 – “Blood Out In The Fields”
08 – “Al Phobias”
09 – “Shocked At The End Of The World”
Band Members:
- Pete Loeffler – Guitars, Vocals
- Sam Loeffler – Drums
Personnel:
- Producer: Pete Loeffler
- Label: Alchemy Recordings
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