My Damnation
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
My Damnation is the second studio album by Chelsea Grin. The band entered the studio early 2011 and finished near the middle of the year. The title track was released as a single on April 17, 2011. My Damnation was released on July 19, 2011 through Artery Recordings.
Theme and musical style
Vocalist, Alex Koehler, stated that the record holds a specific concept in contrast to their previous albums; "I wanted to make the lyrics based more on a story of a man's journey from being a selfish tyrant, to being condemned to hell, seeking forgiveness, and salvation. I wasn't trying to write a religious or spiritual album. I just find the concept of heaven and hell completely fascinating, so it makes it easy to write about." [2]
The album's lyrics reference Hell and eternal damnation after death. Musically, the album features many more guitar solos than that of previous releases.[3][4]
Reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 50/100[5] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [6] |
| Alternative Press | [5] |
| Consequence of Sound | C-[7] |
| Kerrang! | [5] |
My Damnation was met with mixed reviews. The review aggregator site Metacritic gave the album 50/100, based on reviews of 4 critics.[5]
Heany Gregory of Allmusic stated "Smashing together the macabre intensity of death metal with the chugging, technical gymnastics of metalcore, Utah’s Chelsea Grin brutalize listeners with their punishing sophomore effort".[6]
Alex Young of Consequence of Sound gave album C-, stating that "My Damnation serves as minor evidence that Chelsea Grin might not become a throwaway copycat. Fans can only hope polish doesn't push these Utah rockers away from their current path and towards the poppier territory of their more famous neighbors."[7]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Foolish One" | 3:39 |
| 2. | "Everlasting Sleep" | 3:18 |
| 3. | "Behind a Veil of Lies" | 3:23 |
| 4. | "Kharon" (Instrumental) | 1:18 |
| 5. | "My Damnation" | 4:35 |
| 6. | "Cursed" | 3:23 |
| 7. | "Calling in Silence" (featuring Nate Johnson of Fit for an Autopsy) | 5:01 |
| 8. | "Oblivion" | 3:35 |
| 9. | "Last Breath" | 3:56 |
| 10. | "All Hail the Fallen King" (featuring Phil Bozeman of Whitechapel) | 2:52 |
| Total length: | 38:11 | |
Charts
| Charts | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 64 |
| U.S. Billboard Rock Albums | 16 |
| U.S. Billboard Independent Albums | 9 |
| U.S. Billboard Hard Rock Albums | 6 |
Personnel
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References
- ^ "Chelsea Grin My Damnation (Single)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
- ^ "Audiopinions Interview". Retrieved 29 July 2011.
- ^ "Chelsea Grin - My Damnation". Consequence of Sound. July 25, 2011.
- ^ "Chelsea Grin - My Damnation". Heavy Metal Now. November 19, 2011.
- ^ a b c d "My Damnation Reviews - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
- ^ a b Heany, Gregory. "My Damnation [w/Artery Records Sampler]". Allmusic. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
- ^ a b Alex Young (July 25, 2011). "Chelsea Grin - My Damnation | Album Reviews | Consequence of Sound". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved April 22, 2014.