HEATHEN — The Evolution of Chaos (review)

HEATHEN — The Evolution of Chaos album cover Album · 2010 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"The Evolution of Chaos" is the 3rd full-length studio album by US, California based thrash metal act Heathen. The album was released through Mascot Records in January 2010. It´s the band´s first album in 19 years, as Heathen disbanded in 1993, after touring in support of their second full-length studio album "Victims of Deception" from 1991. Heathen reunited in 2001, and released the "Recovered" compilation in 2004 and recorded a demo in 2005. It would be five long years between the release of the demo and the release of "The Evolution of Chaos" though, which was probably in large part due to the fact that guitarist Lee Altus joined Exodus in 2005, and recorded and toured heavily with that band in those years.

Compared to the lineup who recorded "Victims of Deception (1991)" there are three members left: David White (vocals), Lee Altus (guitars), and Darren Minter (drums). New in the lineup are Jon Torres (bass) and Kragen Lum (guitars).

Stylistically Heathen pretty much continue where they left off in 1993. High quality melodic thrash metal with the occasional US power metal touch. Lead vocalist David White has a powerful and raw delivery, but is fully capable of singing softer more melodic lines too. He doesn´t have a particularly distinct sounding voice, so while he certainly brings the goods, his voice and singing style is pretty standard for the genre. The album features loads of hard edged thrash metal riffs, blistering melodic solos and harmonies, and a technically well playing powerful rhythm section. In other words, the musicianship is on a high level on all posts.

The material on the 11 track, 68:34 minutes long album are relatively varied, and not all are heavy fast-paced thrash metal tracks. The 11:10 minutes long "No Stone Unturned" is one of the standout tracks on the album, as it enters progressive metal territories with its many different sections and songwriting ideas (the song at times features a strong late 80s-Metallica influence). Another track which is quite different from the rest (and quite frankly gels with the rest of the material like oil gels with water) is "A Hero's Welcome" which has very little to do with thrash metal, and more to do with power metal. In fact it wouldn´t be completely out of place on a Blind Guardian album.

"The Evolution of Chaos" features a sharp, powerful, and detailed sounding production, which suits the material perfectly. So upon conclusion it´s a high quality release on all parameters. A slightly more unique sounding vocalist could probably have elevated the material to an even higher level, but "The Evolution of Chaos" is still overall a very strong release and a 4 star (80%) rating is fully deserved.
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