For anyone who’s followed Chevelle since their 1999 debut album Point #1, they know that progression between records comes in slight doses. The most notable change being from the debut to Wonder What’s Next, this fourth disc is strong yet only faintly different than the last. That being said, Vena Sera is solid. With brother Joe exiting or being fired from the band (depends on who you ask), Pete (vocals & guitar) and Sam Loeffler (drums) keep it in the family by welcoming brother-in-law Dean Bernardini on bass.
As soon as opener “Antisaint” kicks in, we know we’re in store for big and crunchy guitars, cutting and moving song structures, and excellent production. “Brainiac” has Sam showing off some double bass, which he does quite often throughout the album. “Saferwaters” is the only real slow song, while lead single “Well Enough Alone” has Pete giving us one of the longest opening wails (10 seconds!) heard in quite some time. And “I Get It” is downright danceable, which is unusual for a Chevelle track. Pete’s lyrics take jabs at frat boys (God, I hate those guys!) in Las Vegas on “The Fad,” stupid people (“Brainiac”), and possibly estranged brother Joe in “Humanoid.”
In a day and age when very few hard rock bands sell boatloads of albums, Chevelle has a short string of platinum and gold records. It’ll be interesting if Epic Records keeps them on their roster if this one doesn’t live up to those standards. But the long and short of it is that if you already dig the band, then this won’t disappoint. If you’ve never heard Chevelle, this may do nothing for you. You must make a choice. May the Force be with you.
Key Tracks: There aren’t any clunkers here, but “Antisaint,” “Brainiac,” and “Saferwaters” make the opening three songs the strongest.
Reviewed by Chad Olson |
