IN REVIEW: Chevelle - "The North Corridor"

Fun fact #1: Tool has released zero records since 10,000 Days, some 122 months ago (and counting). Fun fact #2: Chevelle has released five records in the same time span. Fun fact #3: Evil Joe Baressi, who worked on 10,000 Days as an engineer/mixer, has produced the last three Chevelle records. Fun fact #4: This trilogy of records represents Chevelle's transition from mopey hard rock also-rans to no-holds-barred alt-metal juggernauts. The North Corridor takes the viciousness of La Gargola and dials back somewhat on that record's in-the-red fatigue, allowing the background flourishes that were once swallowed up by mastering to add to the music's overall feel; I can actually listen to this in my headphones without tapping out. While it makes no bones about its influences (Tool, Deftones, Alice In Chains, etc.), it refuses to be just a reasonable facsimile. It's also relentlessly heavy, with the Loeffler brothers cramming throat shredding screams, volcanic riffs and metallic rhythms into nearly every nook and cranny (Punchline is the album's only dissenter and, while it's not heavy, it's certainly not clamoring for radio airplay either). All told, there aren't too many surprises if you've been watching Chevelle's trajectory (although the opening thirty seconds of Rivers should throw you for a loop); with that said, The North Corridor is a very solid record that addresses some past transgressions without slipping into half-hearted backsliding or contrived pandering.

July 8, 2016 • Epic
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