Review: Chelsea Grin’s Evolve EP

The latest release from Artery Recording’s deathcore warriors Chelsea Grin takes right off where their last release, My Damnation left off. Evolve EP was released just prior to the band kicking off their full-summer stint on this year’s run of the Vans Warped Tour. Five tracks make up the CD, which includes the use of clean vocals for the first time.

Evolve possesses a huge sound, accented by orchestral pieces that are reminiscent of a horror show. Alex Koehler’s lows are more apparent than on My Damnation, and his highs are as powerful as ever. The bottom end of the EP is just as heavy as the band’s past work as well, with standard high speed bass drumming, blast beats, and high speed, intricate fills, along with David Finn’s work on bass. Most impressive on the album are the guitar pieces provided by Chelsea Grin’s three guitarists, Jason Richardson (ex-Born of Osiris), Daniel Jones, and Jacob Harmond, Pinch harmonics and high pitched solos compliment the horror show feeling of the EP.

The tracks “Lilith” and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” both feature clean vocals, which mesh surprisingly well with Chelsea Grin’s sound. Alex Koehler shows off that he can do more than just scream, as both songs have respectable sounding clean parts. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has a completely different mood than any other song on the EP. It is a track full of emotion, featuring group vocals and slower tempos, but also still contains a killer breakdown and solo.

Evolve will serve as a solid stepping stone for the band as the move toward a new full-length. Chelsea Grin are currently without a drummer, as Andrew Carlston left the band at the beginning of the month to spend more time with family. Nothing has been mentioned about a replacement as of yet. For now, a fill-in drummer will be taking his place as the band spends the summer on Warped Tour in support of Evolve.