Ashes To Ashes

About

The pummeling guitars, Tommy-gun drums, and throat-trauma vocals on Chelsea Grin’s third full-length are so expertly executed they could hammer a listener into submission. At the same time, there’s a songwriting sensibility that reveals how this Salt Lake City sextet is advancing musically (particularly on “Pledge Allegiance,” "Illuminate,” “Cheers to Us,” and the outright poppy “Waste Away”). That musicality combines classical (yes, classical) motifs with unexpected ambient breakdowns, and there’s even a gentle piano-and-string interlude (“Ashes…”) that in context feels like last rites. Call it deathcore prog, which isn't to suggest the band have lost their touch. Hardly. The suitably titled “Nightmare” puts horror-flick harmonies, minor-key riffs, and the shrieks and grunts of singer Alex Koehler squarely inside your worst dreams, right where they belong. “Sellout” is a skull-splitting anthem for the times, showing just how angry Koehler and his pals can get, especially when that anger’s aimed at self-promoting millionaire pop stars or deceitful politicians. Hammer down!

via Apple Music