NIRATIAS
Studio album by
Chevelle
ReleasedMarch 5, 2021
Recorded2019–2020[1]
StudioPasadena, California[1]
Genre
Length50:36
LabelEpic
ProducerJoe Barresi
Chevelle chronology
12 Bloody Spies
(2018)		 NIRATIAS
(2021)
Singles from NIRATIAS
  1. "Self Destructor"
    Released: January 8, 2021
  2. "Peach"
    Released: January 29, 2021
  3. "Remember When"
    Released: February 19, 2021
  4. "Mars Simula"
    Released: May 1, 2021

NIRATIAS (an acronym for "Nothing Is Real and This Is a Simulation") is the ninth studio album by American rock band Chevelle, released on March 5, 2021. It was preceded by three singles: "Self Destructor", "Peach", and "Remember When". The album was produced by Joe Barresi and was their first studio album in five years, the previous being 2016's The North Corridor. It is also their first album as a two-piece, as bassist Dean Bernardini left the band in late 2019. It marked the final album on their contract with long-time label Epic Records; future music from the band will be released independently.[2]

Unlike previous Chevelle albums, NIRATIAS is a concept album, with more instrumental and spoken word tracks, dealing with themes such as interstellar travel, mistrust in leadership, loss, and the past.

Background

In June 2019, it was announced that the band entered the studio with producer Joe Barresi, who also produced their last three albums.[1][3] Drummer Sam Loeffler stated they had been writing material for a year and a half, meaning the writing process of this album has taken longer than their other albums.[3] The band recorded eight songs in 2019 and the other five were finished by March 2020.[1] Speaking about the lyrical direction of the album, vocalist Pete Loeffler stated:

"It has a lot of space to it, a lot of interstellar travel to it. You've got Elon Musk trying to get to Mars and that was completely fascinating to me so when I write lyrics, it's just kind of made its way in there. As you'll see with the cover, it's sort of space themed as well.[1]

Artwork for the album is by Boris Vallejo, also known for designing the posters used for films like Knightriders and National Lampoon's Vacation.[1] The title of the album is an acronym for "Nothing Is Real and This Is a Simulation"[1][4] Producer Joe Barresi challenged the band to write more melodic songs, as opposed to the darker and heavier material from their past two albums.[3]

About the music on NIRATIAS, Pete said, "It's just more melodic singing over heavy stuff...It's not as much screaming on this album, for sure."[5]

Release

On November 6, 2020, the band uploaded a video stating that a their new album has already been completed and was awaiting release.[3] On November 8, 2020, the band released an acoustic version of the new song "Endlessly".[3] The band released a music video for the lead single, "Self Destructor" on January 8, 2021.[6][7][8] The album was released on March 5, 2021.[6][7][8][9] On January 25, 2021, the band revealed the track listing.[9] On January 29, 2021, the band released the second single from the album, "Peach".[10] On February 19, 2021, the band released the third single from the album, "Remember When".[11] On May 1, 2021, the band released a music video for the song "Mars Simula".[12][13] "Self Destructor" is included in the 2021 film, Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard.[14]

Composition and themes

NIRATIAS has been described as alternative metal,[15][16][17] hard rock,[15] alternative rock,[18] progressive rock,[19] art rock,[19] and demonstrates science-fiction themes.[19] The opener "Verruckt" is an instrumental song that contains "sludgy stoner-doom metal" riffs.[15] "So Long, Mother Earth" is a song about space exploration and AllMusic compared it to "Tool's dystopian art-metal".[20] The closing track "Lost in Digital Woods" is a spoken word[21] and ambient[20] Overall, the album is more melodic and contains less screaming than their last two albums.[5] AllMusic described the album as a "sci-fi fever dream".[20]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[20]
The Spill Magazine[15]
Sputnikmusic[22]

James Christopher Monger of AllMusic praised NIRATIAS as a "visceral sci-fi fever dream that pairs tight, caustic riffage with billowing melodic contrails". He criticized the absence of former bassist Dean Bernardini, stating, "It's in these beefier numbers that the absence of Bernardini is felt -- in addition to handling vocals, guitar, and piano, Pete Loeffler was tasked with filling in on bass as well, and while his parts are more than adequate, the paucity of low-end throughout NIRATIAS is hard to ignore."[20]

Gerrod Harris of The Spill Magazine stated, "Chevelle has written the soundtrack warning of the dystopian future that looks more like Blade Runner and Total Recall than we'd like on NIRATIAS. The album ties together a tight recorded performance that sounds larger than life along with strong, unique songwriting that propelled Chevelle forward for just over 20 years."[15] The staff review at Sputnikmusic generally praised the album for being slightly different due to its "interlude-filled tracklist and a sort of unifying theme throughout" though conceded that they were really only "baby steps" towards making a different sounding Chevelle album, hoping that they choose to "branch out more" on their next album.[22]

Accolades

Publication Accolade Rank
Loudwire The 45 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2021

Track listing

All music is composed by Chevelle

NIRATIAS track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Verruckt" (instrumental)3:31
2."So Long, Mother Earth"4:52
3."Mars Simula"4:11
4."Sleep the Deep" (instrumental)1:06
5."Self Destructor"5:47
6."Piistol Star (Gravity Heals)"4:49
7."VVurmhole" (instrumental)0:19
8."Peach"4:16
9."Test Test…Enough"2:08
10."Endlessly"5:14
11."Remember When"4:29
12."Ghost and Razor"5:51
13."Lost in Digital Woods"4:03
Total length:50:36

Personnel

Credits for NIRATIAS adapted from liner notes.

Charts

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Chevelle's Pete and Sam Loeffler Discuss 'NIRATIAS' Songwriting and Recording Process". Blabbermouth. February 15, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Chevelle Has 'A Whole Bunch Of Music Written' For Next Studio Album". Blabbermouth. October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Childers, Chad (November 8, 2020). "Chevelle Return With Acoustic Version of New Song 'Endlessly'". Loudwire. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  4. ↑ Johnson, Josh (February 19, 2021). "Listen to new Chevelle song, "Remember When"". ABC News. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  5. 1 2 Johnson, Josh (February 3, 2021). "Chevelle hearkens back to the early days with "melodic," "Muse-y" guitar riffs on upcoming 'NIRATIAS' album". ABC News. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Chevelle To Release New Single 'Self Destructor' This Friday". Blabbermouth.net. January 6, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  7. 1 2 Childers, Chad (January 8, 2021). "Chevelle Drop Aggressive 'Self Destructor,' Announce New Album". Loudwire. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  8. 1 2 "Chevelle Return With New Single "Self Destructor"". Heavy Mag. January 8, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Chevelle Unveil Track Listing For New Album "NIRATIAS"". The PRP. January 25, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  10. ↑ Kennelty, Greg (January 29, 2021). "Chevelle Streams Mid-Paced New Single "Peach"". Metal Injection. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  11. ↑ Kaufman, Spencer (February 19, 2021). "Chevelle Unveil Anthemic New Single 'Remember When': Stream". Consequence. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Chevelle Releases Music Video For 'Mars Simula'". Blabbermouth.net. May 1, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  13. ↑ Angulia, Michael (April 30, 2021). "Chevelle Release 'Mars Simula' Video". antiMusic. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  14. ↑ Hough, Q.V. (June 21, 2021). "The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard Soundtrack Guide: Every Song Explained". Screen Rant. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 Harris, Gerrod (March 16, 2021). "Spill Album Review: Chevelle - NIRATIAS". The Spill Magazine. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  16. ↑ Hobson, Rich (December 16, 2021). "Top 10 alt-metal albums of 2021". Metal Hammer. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  17. ↑ Enis, Eli (June 16, 2021). "Fan Poll: 5 Best Albums of 2021 So Far". Revolver. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Chevelle – NIRATIAS – Album Review". March 8, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  19. 1 2 3 Hadusek, Jon (July 26, 2021). "Chevelle Announce 2021 US Tour". Consequence. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 Monger, James Christopher. "NIRATIAS - Chevelle". AllMusic. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Chevelle Releases Lyric Video For New Song 'Endlessly'". Blabbermouth.net. March 5, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  22. 1 2 Stanciu, Raul (March 5, 2021). "Chevelle NIRATIAS". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  23. ↑ "The 45 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2021". Loudwire. December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Chevelle Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Chevelle Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Chevelle Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Chevelle Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Chevelle Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  29. ↑ "Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
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