Another band new(-ish) to the UK, but already pretty big Stateside (4 million sales can’t be sniffed at) are Chevelle. They’re playing Download this year and have their debut UK album, La Gárgola, through Epic on June 9th. Due to the fact that the wife and I were up all night with a sick baby, I’m going to let the lovely people at ILikePress do the talking for me via the press release.

Before that, though, definitely do give the embedded track at the bottom a listen. This is some good shit. Definitely heavy rock rather than metal – groovy, crunchy and grindy.

Formed by the Loeffler Brothers in Chicago, IL in 1995, Chevelle has sold over four million albums, including their major label debutWonder What’s Next, which went platinum. In their nearly 20-year career, they have notched twelve top ten rock radio hits in the U.S, including the chart-topping singles “Send The Pain Below”, “The Red”, and “Face to the Floor”.

In 2014 the band will release new album,La Gárgola on 9th June. Following up their Billboard Top 10 albumHats Off To The Bull,La Gárgola (Spanish for The Gargoyle) “is a sonic reinvention for the band”, says front manPete Loeffler [guitars, vocals], “I don’t want Chevelle to sound like every rock band out there, I wanted to create something fun in a dark way.”

Band matesSam Loeffler [drums], andDean Bernardini [bass, vocals] employed aggressive electronic drum kits, stomp boxes, ethereal effects, vintage amps, and Pete’s study of horror film aesthetics (The Walking Dead, Rosemary’s Baby, Friday The 13th) to provide the core sound ofLa Gárgola. “I’ve always liked horror films,” says Pete, “watching them is like riding a roller coaster. Your heart rate goes up, and that’s perfect for our music.”

Produced by Joe Barresi [Queens of The Stone Age, Tool, Coheed and Cambria] songs like “The Damned” and “Jaw Breaker” characterize the prevailing feel ofLa Gárgola, with heart-thumping drums and dark-overdriven guitar riffs.

Chevelle proves socially aware on “Take Out The Gunman”, (released as a single on 2nd June) which, through dominant guitars and emotive vocal dynamics examines the issue of mental illness and guns. The band’s ode to the Pacific “One Ocean” is layered with hazy guitars and a brooding bass line that provokes inspired vocals from Pete. “We’ve never written a song like it before,” says Sam, “it’s one of our favourites.”

Following 2013’s sold out show at London Islington Academy, Chevelle will return to the UK this year with a slot at Download Festival on 14th June alongsideLinkin Park, Fallout Boy and Bring Me The Horizon.

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Related articles

• Album Review: Chevelle – La Gárgola (beardedgentlemenmusic.com)
• Chevelle Offer New Insight Into ‘La Gargola’ Album – Exclusive Video Premiere (loudwire.com)
• CHEVELLE Get Horrific With La Gárgola – New Album Streaming In Its Entirety (bravewords.com)
• CHEVELLE’s ‘La Gárgola’ Cracks U.S. Top 5 (blabbermouth.net)

Father of three. Teacher of Computing. Masters student. PADI divemaster (retd). Krav Maga Graduate Level 1. Geordie. Geek. Nerd. Metal nut. I also own and run a website - you may have heard of it. No idea how I have the time to run it. View all posts by Mosh