NIRATIAS explained

NIRATIAS
Type:studio
Artist:Chevelle
Cover:Chevelle NIRATIAS Cover Art 2021.jpg
Released:March 5, 2021
Recorded:2019–2020[1]
Studio:Pasadena, California
Genre:
Length:50:36
Label:Epic
Producer:Joe Barresi
Prev Title:12 Bloody Spies
Prev Year:2018

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 four singles: "Self Destructor", "Peach", "Remember When", and "Endlessly". 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 on Alchemy Records.[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:

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 March 5, 2021, the band released the fourth single from the album, "Endlessly".[12] On May 1, 2021, the band released a music video for the album's fifth single "Mars Simula".[13] [14] "Self Destructor" is included in the 2021 film, Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard.[15]

Composition and themes

NIRATIAS has been described as alternative metal,[16] [17] [18] hard rock,[16] alternative rock,[19] progressive rock,[20] art rock,[20] and demonstrates science-fiction themes.[20] The opener "Verruckt" is an instrumental song that contains "sludgy stoner-doom metal" riffs.[16] "So Long, Mother Earth" is a song about space exploration and AllMusic compared it to "Tool's dystopian art-metal".[21] The closing track "Lost in Digital Woods" is a spoken word[22] and ambient[21] 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".[21]

Critical reception

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."[21]

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." 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.

Accolades

Personnel

Credits for NIRATIAS adapted from liner notes.Chevelle

Additional musicians

Production

Artwork

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Position
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[23] 94

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chevelle's Pete and Sam Loeffler Discuss 'NIRATIAS' Songwriting and Recording Process. Blabbermouth. February 15, 2021. March 2, 2021.
  2. Web site: Chevelle Signs With Alchemy Recordings, Plots September/October Release For New Album. Blabbermouth.net. July 25, 2024. July 31, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240726011216/https://blabbermouth.net/news/chevelle-signs-with-alchemy-recordings-plots-september-october-release-for-new-album. July 26, 2024. live.
  3. Web site: Chad. Childers. Chevelle Return With Acoustic Version of New Song 'Endlessly'. Loudwire. November 8, 2020. March 2, 2021.
  4. Web site: Josh. Johnson. Listen to new Chevelle song, "Remember When". ABC News. February 19, 2021. March 2, 2021.
  5. Web site: Josh. Johnson. Chevelle hearkens back to the early days with "melodic," "Muse-y" guitar riffs on upcoming 'NIRATIAS' album. ABC News. February 3, 2021. July 17, 2022.
  6. Web site: Chevelle To Release New Single 'Self Destructor' This Friday. Blabbermouth.net. January 6, 2021. March 2, 2021.
  7. Web site: Chad. Childers. Chevelle Drop Aggressive 'Self Destructor,' Announce New Album. Loudwire. January 8, 2021. July 17, 2022.
  8. Web site: Chevelle Return With New Single "Self Destructor". Heavy Mag. January 8, 2021. March 2, 2021.
  9. Web site: Chevelle Unveil Track Listing For New Album "NIRATIAS". The PRP. January 25, 2021. March 2, 2021.
  10. Web site: Greg. Kennelty. Chevelle Streams Mid-Paced New Single "Peach". Metal Injection. January 29, 2021. March 2, 2021.
  11. Web site: Spencer. Kaufman. Chevelle Unveil Anthemic New Single 'Remember When': Stream. Consequence. February 19, 2021. July 17, 2022.
  12. Web site: Greg. Kennelty. Chevelle Sticks to Being Atmospheric in New Song "Endlessly". Metal Injection. March 6, 2021. February 21, 2024.
  13. Web site: Chevelle Releases Music Video For 'Mars Simula'. Blabbermouth.net. May 1, 2021. May 2, 2021.
  14. Web site: Chevelle release “Mars Simula” music video. Next Mosh. May 3, 2021. February 21, 2024.
  15. Web site: Q.V.. Hough. The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard Soundtrack Guide: Every Song Explained. Screen Rant. June 21, 2021. June 28, 2021.
  16. Web site: Gerrod. Harris. Spill Album Review: Chevelle - NIRATIAS. The Spill Magazine. March 16, 2021. March 16, 2021.
  17. Web site: Rich. Hobson. Top 10 alt-metal albums of 2021. Metal Hammer. December 16, 2021. December 21, 2021.
  18. Web site: Enis. Eli. Fan Poll: 5 Best Albums of 2021 So Far. Revolver. June 16, 2021. January 11, 2023.
  19. Web site: Chevelle – NIRATIAS – Album Review. March 8, 2021. December 21, 2021.
  20. Web site: Jon. Hadusek. Chevelle Announce 2021 US Tour. Consequence. July 26, 2021. December 21, 2021.
  21. Web site: James Christopher. Monger. NIRATIAS - Chevelle. AllMusic. March 19, 2021.
  22. Web site: Chevelle Releases Lyric Video For New Song 'Endlessly'. Blabbermouth.net. March 5, 2021. December 21, 2021.
  23. Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 14, 2021.