As Flaming Wrekage’s brutal fourth album tickles your earholes, you know this is something special. …
July is right around the corner, which, if their previous release history has told us anything, means we should see a new Chelsea Grin LP pop up aaaaaaaaaany minute now.
Of course, this is a metalcore band over a decade into their career now, so it should come as no shock that some mandatory drama has shaken up the band’s core workings. After 11 years spent thrashing stages to shreds in every city you could think of, vocalist Alex Koehler has stepped away from his duties behind the mic.
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Citing a long-fought battle with alcoholism, the band has released a statement on Koehler’s departure to focus more intently on sobriety. “We are all at a mutual understanding that the nomadic and trying nature of touring is much too volatile of an environment for a recovering alcoholic,” they posted. “[Koehler] has made huge strides forward in shaping a new and positive lifestyle, and we will always do our part to support our friend and brother.”
The band are raging on with fresh blood, however, with ex-Lorna Shore frontman Tom Barber filling in his shoes. Surprisingly, Lorna Shore are also still planning to move forward with a new vocalist. We’re hoping there isn’t any bad blood between the two bands now, but goddamn, it wouldn’t surprise us if they never show up on the same tour poster again.
In addition to Koehler’s exit, Chelsea Grin confirmed the departure of longtime guitarist Jacob Harmond, who left the band informally last year to focus on spending time with his growing family. “Jacob recently had his second of two children, and has found his passion redirected toward family and personal goals,” their statement continues. “Again, his parting was carried out entirely amicably and with absolutely no hard feelings. As with Alex, we will forever support Jacob and his family, and will always remain close friends.”
The band are adamant that the shake-up hasn’t steered them off their path, though, with a new album already in the bag. ”At this point, we are done cycling faces through the band for both your sakes and ours; we will be carrying on live as a four piece,” they wrote. “After finding our strongest sound yet, we want to avoid confusion and a shift from the current creative focus, in addition to adding yet another face to a seemingly ever-changing lineup. We will absolutely be delivering the same crushing performance and presence as always.”
And with that, our dear reader, comes the first taste of Chelsea Grin 2.0: a vicious little number in the form of Dead Rose. The single comes as the first cut from their forthcoming fifth LP, Eternal Nightmare, which was announced alongside the lineup changes. A release date has yet to be confirmed, but we’re willing to bet legit money that it’ll come out in July.
