Niratias

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Niratias
Niratias.jpg
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 (stylized in uppercase, an acronym of "Nothing Is Real And This Is A Simulation")[1] 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 is their first studio album in five years, the last 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. Unlike previous Chevelle albums, Niratias is considered to be a concept album, using 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] On January 29, 2021, the band released the second single from the album, "Peach".[9] On February 19, 2021, the band released the third single from the album, "Remember When".[10] On May 1, 2021, the band released a music video for the song "Mars Simula".[11][12] "Self Destructor" is included in the 2021 film, Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard.[13]

Critical reception[]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic3.5/5 stars[14]
Spill Magazine4/5 stars[2]
Sputnikmusic4/5 stars[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 chose to "branch out more" on their next album.[15] James Christopher Monger of AllMusic in a positive review, calls Niratias a, “visceral sci-fi fever dream that pairs tight, caustic riffage with billowing melodic contrails.” However, 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.”[14]

Track listing[]

All music is composed by Chevelle.

Niratias track listing[16]
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[]

Chart performance for Niratias
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[17] 68
US Billboard 200[18] 9
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[19] 1
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[20] 1
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[21] 1

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h Childers, Chad (February 15, 2021). "Chevelle's Pete And Sam Loeffler Discuss 'Niratias' Songwriting and Recording Process". Blabbermouth. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Harris, Gerrod (March 16, 2021). "Spill Album Review: Chevelle - Niratias". Spill Magazine. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e 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. ^ Johnson, Josh (February 19, 2021). "Chevelle hearkens back to the early days with "melodic," "Muse-y" guitar riffs on upcoming 'Niratias' album". ABC News. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "Chevelle To Release New Single 'Self Destructor' This Friday". Blabbermouth.net. January 6, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b Childers, Chad (January 8, 2021). "Chevelle Drop Aggressive 'Self Destructor,' Announce New Album". Loudwire. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b "Chevelle Return With New Single "Self Destructor"". Heavy Magazine. January 8, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  9. ^ Kennelty, Greg (January 29, 2021). "Chevelle Streams Mid-Paced New Single "Peach"". Metal Injection. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  10. ^ Kaufman, Spencer (February 19, 2021). "Chevelle Unveil Anthemic New Single "Remember When": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  11. ^ "Chevelle Releases Music Video For 'Mars Simula'". Blabbermouth.net. May 1, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  12. ^ Angulia, Michael (April 30, 2021). "Chevelle Release 'Mars Simula' Video". antiMusic. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  13. ^ Hough, Q.V. (June 21, 2021). "The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard Soundtrack Guide: Every Song Explained". ScreenRant. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b Monger, Christopher. "Niratias - Chevelle | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b Raul Stanciu (March 5, 2021). "Chevelle Niratias". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  16. ^ "Chevelle Unveil Track Listing For New Album "Niratias"". The PRP. January 25, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  17. ^ "Chevelle Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  18. ^ "Chevelle Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  19. ^ "Chevelle Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  20. ^ "Chevelle Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  21. ^ "Chevelle Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
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