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NIRATIAS
NIRATIAS
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NIRATIAS
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 5, 2021
Recorded2019–2020[1]
StudioPasadena, California[1]
Genre
Length50:36
LabelEpic
ProducerJoe Barresi
Chevelle chronology
12 Bloody Spies
(2018)
NIRATIAS
(2021)
Bright as Blasphemy
(2025)
Singles from NIRATIAS
  1. "Self Destructor"
    Released: January 8, 2021
  2. "Peach"
    Released: January 29, 2021
  3. "Remember When"
    Released: February 19, 2021
  4. "Endlessly"
    Released: March 5, 2021
  5. "Mars Simula"
    Released: May 1, 2021

NIRATIAS (an acronym for "Nothing Is Real and This Is a Simulation") is the ninth studio album by American rock band Chevelle, released on March 5, 2021. It was preceded by four singles: "Self Destructor", "Peach", "Remember When", and "Endlessly". The album was produced by Joe Barresi and was their first studio album in five years, the previous being 2016's The North Corridor. It is also their first album as a two-piece, as bassist Dean Bernardini left the band in late 2019, leaving vocalist Pete Loeffler to play both guitar and bass on the album. It marked the final album on their contract with long-time label Epic Records; future music from the band will be released on Alchemy Records.[2]

Unlike previous Chevelle albums, NIRATIAS is a concept album, with more instrumental and spoken word tracks, dealing with themes such as interstellar travel, mistrust in leadership, loss, and the past.

Background

[edit]

In June 2019, it was announced that the band entered the studio with producer Joe Barresi, who also produced their last three albums.[1][3] Drummer Sam Loeffler stated they had been writing material for a year and a half, meaning the writing process of this album has taken longer than their other albums.[3] The band recorded eight songs in 2019 and the other five were finished by March 2020.[1] Speaking about the lyrical direction of the album, vocalist Pete Loeffler stated:

"It has a lot of space to it, a lot of interstellar travel to it. You've got Elon Musk trying to get to Mars and that was completely fascinating to me so when I write lyrics, it's just kind of made its way in there. As you'll see with the cover, it's sort of space themed as well.[1]

Artwork for the album is by Boris Vallejo, also known for designing the posters used for films like Knightriders and National Lampoon's Vacation.[1] The title of the album is an acronym for "Nothing Is Real and This Is a Simulation"[1][4] Producer Joe Barresi challenged the band to write more melodic songs, as opposed to the darker and heavier material from their past two albums.[3]

About the music on NIRATIAS, Pete said, "It's just more melodic singing over heavy stuff...It's not as much screaming on this album, for sure."[5]

Release

[edit]

On November 6, 2020, the band uploaded a video stating that their new album has already been completed and was awaiting release.[3] On November 8, 2020, the band released an acoustic version of the new song "Endlessly".[3] The band released a music video for the lead single, "Self Destructor" on January 8, 2021.[6][7][8] The album was released on March 5, 2021.[6][7][8][9] On January 25, 2021, the band revealed the track listing.[9] On January 29, 2021, the band released the second single from the album, "Peach".[10] On February 19, 2021, the band released the third single from the album, "Remember When".[11] On March 5, 2021, the band released the fourth single from the album, "Endlessly".[12] On May 1, 2021, the band released a music video for the album's fifth single "Mars Simula".[13][14] "Self Destructor" is included in the 2021 film, Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard.[15]

Composition and themes

[edit]

NIRATIAS has been described as alternative metal,[16][17][18] hard rock,[16] alternative rock,[19] progressive rock,[20] art rock,[20] and demonstrates science-fiction themes.[20] The opener "Verruckt" is an instrumental song that contains "sludgy stoner-doom metal" riffs.[16] "So Long, Mother Earth" is a song about space exploration and AllMusic compared it to "Tool's dystopian art-metal".[21] The closing track "Lost in Digital Woods" is a spoken word[22] and ambient[21] Overall, the album is more melodic and contains less screaming than their last two albums.[5] AllMusic described the album as a "sci-fi fever dream".[21]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarHalf star[21]
The Spill MagazineStarStarStarStar[16]
SputnikmusicStarStarStarStar[23]

James Christopher Monger of AllMusic praised NIRATIAS as a "visceral sci-fi fever dream that pairs tight, caustic riffage with billowing melodic contrails". He criticized the absence of former bassist Dean Bernardini, stating, "It's in these beefier numbers that the absence of Bernardini is felt -- in addition to handling vocals, guitar, and piano, Pete Loeffler was tasked with filling in on bass as well, and while his parts are more than adequate, the paucity of low-end throughout NIRATIAS is hard to ignore."[21]

Gerrod Harris of The Spill Magazine stated, "Chevelle has written the soundtrack warning of the dystopian future that looks more like Blade Runner and Total Recall than we'd like on NIRATIAS. The album ties together a tight recorded performance that sounds larger than life along with strong, unique songwriting that propelled Chevelle forward for just over 20 years."[16] The staff review at Sputnikmusic generally praised the album for being slightly different due to its "interlude-filled tracklist and a sort of unifying theme throughout" though conceded that they were really only "baby steps" towards making a different sounding Chevelle album, hoping that they choose to "branch out more" on their next album.[23]

Accolades

[edit]
Publication Accolade Rank
Loudwire The 45 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2021

Track listing

[edit]

All music is composed by Chevelle.

NIRATIAS track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Verruckt" (instrumental)3:31
2."So Long, Mother Earth"4:52
3."Mars Simula"4:11
4."Sleep the Deep" (instrumental)1:06
5."Self Destructor"5:47
6."Piistol Star (Gravity Heals)"4:49
7."VVurmhole" (instrumental)0:19
8."Peach"4:16
9."Test Test…Enough"2:08
10."Endlessly"5:14
11."Remember When"4:29
12."Ghost and Razor"5:51
13."Lost in Digital Woods"4:03
Total length:50:36

Personnel

[edit]

Credits for NIRATIAS adapted from liner notes.

Charts

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
NIRATIAS is the ninth studio by the band Chevelle, released on March 5, 2021, through . It was the band's final release on . The title serves as an for "Nothing Is Real and This Is a ," encapsulating the album's exploration of , existential dread, and cosmic phenomena through a blend of heavy, crushing guitars and haunting, melodic structures. Chevelle, formed in 1995 in , by brothers (lead vocals and guitar) and Sam Loeffler (drums), along with their brother Joe Loeffler (bass) until his departure in 2005, has built a multi-platinum career in with hits like "The Red" and "." The album was recorded over 2019 and 2020 at Joe Barresi's , studio by brothers Pete and Sam Loeffler, with Pete handling , marking a collaboration with the producer known for his work with acts like Tool and Queens of the Stone Age. The 13-track record, featuring songs such as "Verruckt," "Mars Simula," "Self Destructor," and "," was promoted by lead singles including "Self Destructor" (which reached #1 on the U.S. chart), "," and "Remember When." Upon release, NIRATIAS debuted at No. 9 on the chart, securing Chevelle's fifth Top 10 entry there, and topped the Top Album Sales chart with 24,000 copies sold in its first week. This conceptual effort represents a pivotal evolution in Chevelle's discography, emphasizing heavier riffs and thematic depth inspired by and philosophical inquiry.

Development

Background

In 2019, Chevelle began work on their ninth studio album, later titled NIRATIAS. That year also saw the departure of longtime bassist following the band's fall tour, marking NIRATIAS as their first release as a two-piece act comprising brothers on vocals, guitar, and bass, and Sam Loeffler on drums. The band opted to collaborate once again with producer Joe Barresi, with whom they had worked on their previous three albums, to emphasize a return to more melodic aspects in their established alternative metal sound. NIRATIAS would prove to be the final album under Chevelle's long-term contract with Epic Records, after which the group shifted to releasing music via their independent label, Alchemy Records—including the 2025 effort Bright as Blasphemy. At its core, the project drew from sci-fi concepts and simulation theory as foundational inspirations, reflecting Pete Loeffler's interest in themes of interstellar exploration and existential questioning.

Recording and production

The recording of NIRATIAS took place at producer Joe Barresi's House of Compression studio in , marking the fourth collaboration between the band and Barresi. As a two-piece following bassist Dean Bernardini's departure in 2019, brothers Pete and Sam Loeffler handled the core instrumentation during sessions. Tracking began in spring 2019, when eight songs were laid down, followed by tours and additional writing before the band returned in March 2020 to complete the remaining five tracks, for a total of 13 songs. Barresi encouraged a shift toward more melodic compositions, directing the Loeffler brothers to refine ideas with specific focuses, such as emphasizing certain melodic elements in new material like "Mother Earth," which he praised enthusiastically after multiple listens. This approach resulted in an album less reliant on the heavy screaming of prior releases like The North Corridor. Pete Loeffler performed vocals, guitar, bass, and piano across the , incorporating piano more prominently in songwriting to enhance melodic layers. Additional session contributions included percussion by Brian Kilgore on , chimes, and other elements for track 10 ("Endlessly"), as well as Barresi adding further percussion. Mixing and mastering were finalized in 2020, yielding a total runtime of 50:36.

Release

Announcement

In late May 2019, Chevelle announced they had begun recording their ninth studio album at Joe's House Of Compression in , with longtime producer , marking the start of a progressive reveal leading to the project's completion. The band teased the sessions as a return to their collaborative process, with vocalist-guitarist crafting initial song ideas that the group refined before presenting demos to Barresi for feedback. Recording continued through 2019 and wrapped in early 2020, just before global pandemic restrictions took effect. Full details of the album, titled NIRATIAS—an acronym for "Nothing Is Real And This Is A Simulation"—were revealed on January 8, 2021, with a confirmed release date of March 5, 2021, via . This marked the band's final release under Epic before their transition to for subsequent projects. The announcement highlighted the album's conceptual sci-fi framework, teasing its immersive narrative without disclosing specific themes, while emphasizing Barresi's role in shaping its sound. Formats included standard CD, vinyl, and digital download, alongside limited-edition colored vinyl variants available through retailers like Amazon. NIRATIAS tied into media beyond music, with the track "Self Destructor" featured on the soundtrack for the 2021 film Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, underscoring the album's thematic alignment with high-stakes action narratives.

Promotion and singles

The promotion of NIRATIAS centered on a series of lead singles released in the lead-up to the album's March 5, 2021, launch, with additional post-release efforts to sustain momentum. The first single, "Self Destructor," was unveiled on January 8, 2021, accompanied by a nearly six-minute sci-fi-themed directed by Josh Stone, emphasizing the album's conceptual narrative of simulation and unreality. This track received significant radio play on alternative and mainstream rock stations, peaking at number one on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart and entering the chart. Subsequent singles built on this rollout: "Peach" followed on January 29, 2021, offering a mid-paced, unsettling rocker that highlighted the band's groove-oriented style without a dedicated video at launch. "Remember When," released February 19, 2021, arrived with a lyric video and an anthemic, reflective tone, further teasing the album's introspective elements. "Endlessly" dropped on the same day as the album, March 5, 2021, paired with a lyric video to coincide with the full release. Post-release, "Mars Simula" was issued as a single on May 1, 2021, featuring an official music video directed by Josh Stone that reinforced the sci-fi visuals through cosmic and exploratory imagery. Marketing strategies included campaigns via , which bundled digital downloads, merchandise, and exclusive content to drive early engagement. Social media teasers from the band amplified the album's thematic ties to , sharing cryptic snippets and artwork evoking simulations and space travel. Due to the ongoing , live performances were limited, shifting focus to virtual promotions such as online interviews and streaming sessions. extended to media placements, with "Self Destructor" featured in the 2021 Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, exposing the track to a broader audience beyond rock radio. These efforts collectively positioned NIRATIAS as a timely, immersive rock experience amid constrained touring opportunities.

Composition

Musical style

NIRATIAS is primarily classified within the and genres, building on Chevelle's established foundations while pushing toward a more progressive edge. Critics have noted it as the band's most pummeling record to date, blending aggressive intensity with melodic accessibility that distinguishes it from their prior releases. The production emphasizes thick bass lines and pounding riffs reminiscent of mid-1990s alt-metal, creating a dense sonic landscape that feels both familiar and evolved. Key sonic elements include heavy, dissonant guitar riffs that drive the album's energy, often shifting dynamically from aggressive, mid-tempo grooves to atmospheric interludes for heightened emotional impact. Vocals, delivered primarily in clean tones by , reduce the screaming prevalent in earlier Chevelle works, favoring a more melodic and "unearthly" delivery that enhances the record's cosmic vibe. The inclusion of an opener, "Verruckt," sets a rhythmic and atmospheric tone with time-signature variations, while the spoken-word track "Lost in Digital Woods" introduces whispered echoes and piano simplicity, adding introspective texture without overpowering the rock core. The album's instrumentation remains guitar-centric, with Loeffler layering multi-tracked guitars to build intricate layers, complemented by Sam Loeffler's prominent, methodical drumming that anchors the rhythmic drive. Bass elements are handled by alongside vocals and guitar, supporting the duo's streamlined setup while maintaining the full band's heaviness. Producer Joe Barresi's involvement infuses a conceptual, spacey polish, drawing parallels to the progressive heft of Tool and the desert-rock grooves of Queens of the Stone Age. This results in a cohesive flow across its 13 tracks, forming a arc through evolving soundscapes that unify the album's interstellar theme.

Themes

NIRATIAS serves as an for "Nothing Is Real and This Is a ," encapsulating the album's core exploration of simulation theory, where is questioned as a constructed digital illusion. This concept draws on existential dread, portraying a world where human perception is manipulated, blending philosophical inquiry with the band's signature intensity. The themes extend to , highlighting the psychological and physical tolls of , such as during extended missions to Mars, inspired by figures like and . Lyrical motifs throughout the album evoke waking from a simulated existence, echoing The Matrix-like awakenings to an artificial reality, alongside human disconnection in a technology-dominated era. Tracks like "Lost in Digital Woods" address disorientation in virtual spaces, while "So Long, Mother Earth" confronts and humanity's potential abandonment of the planet. These elements underscore motifs of mistrust toward authority and profound personal loss, reflecting a broader of societal structures. The album unfolds through a loose narrative arc, tracing a protagonist's journey from simulated awakening to cosmic exploration and ultimate realization, advanced by spoken-word interludes and instrumental passages that propel the sci-fi storyline. This structure marks NIRATIAS as Chevelle's most conceptually ambitious work, integrating a cohesive plot of self-discovery amid interstellar chaos. Frontman Pete Loeffler's influences stem from personal contemplations on , advancing , and isolation, intensified by the 2020 pandemic's societal disruptions, though much of the material predates the lockdowns. Drawing from childhood fascinations with and real-world conversations on science denial, the lyrics fuse aggressive rock energy with deep philosophical undertones, creating a provocative meditation on .

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release, NIRATIAS received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who praised its conceptual ambition and production while noting some familiarity in its songwriting. The holds an aggregate score of 77 out of 100 on Album of the Year, based on three professional reviews. AllMusic's Matt Collar awarded it 3.5 out of 5 stars, highlighting how Chevelle distilled themes of ambiguity into an effective sci-fi-infused sound that maintains the band's reliable edge. The Spill Magazine gave it 4 out of 5 stars, commending the tight performance, larger-than-life production, and strong, unique songwriting that ties the tracks together cohesively. Sputnikmusic's whitecastle142 rated it 3.5 out of 5, lauding the flashiest and most diverse guitar work in the band's career, inventive riffs, and passionate vocals, particularly on tracks like "So Long, Mother Earth" and "Self Destructor." Critics appreciated the innovative structure, with interludes enhancing thematic unity around simulation theory and existential elements, marking a return to form for longtime fans through soaring melodies and polished production. However, some noted criticisms included repetitive choruses and riffs on certain tracks like "Peach" and "Remember When," which occasionally overstayed their welcome, and an overall sense of familiarity that rendered the effort fun but inessential compared to the band's earlier peaks. The consensus positioned NIRATIAS as a solid entry in Chevelle's discography, valued for its thematic depth in a stagnant rock landscape, though not a groundbreaking evolution. By 2025, no major critical reevaluations had emerged, but the album has been contextualized as a transitional bridge to the band's independent era with the release of Bright as Blasphemy on Alchemy Recordings.

Accolades

NIRATIAS received no major award nominations, such as Grammys, reflecting Chevelle's established position within the alternative rock niche rather than broader mainstream recognition. The album was ranked #26 on Loudwire's list of the 45 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2021, praised for its blend of heaviness and melody, with standout tracks like "Self Destructor" and "Peach" highlighted as key strengths. It also placed fourth in Revolver Magazine's fan poll for the five best albums of 2021 so far, underscoring its appeal among rock enthusiasts early in the release year. Singles from NIRATIAS achieved notable chart success on rock formats; "Self Destructor" topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart at #1—Chevelle's sixth such leader—and peaked at #35 on the Alternative Airplay chart. The album's production, helmed by Joe Barresi, was commended in Revolver Magazine coverage for contributing to its pummeling and provocative sound. Fan reception has sustained the album's positive standing, with an average user score of 72 out of 100 on Album of the Year based on 269 ratings as of late 2025, indicating solid appreciation within Chevelle's dedicated fandom. By 2025, NIRATIAS has earned retrospective cult favor among fans for its thematic depth on simulation theory and space exploration, often ranked highly in personal discography lists despite limited formal honors.

Commercial performance

Charts

NIRATIAS debuted at number 9 on the US chart, selling 28,000 album-equivalent units in its first full week of release, of which approximately 24,000 were from traditional driven largely by digital downloads and streaming activity. The also claimed the number 1 position on 's Top Alternative Albums, Top Albums, and Top Rock Albums charts, as well as the Top chart, marking Chevelle's fifth top 10 entry on the and their strongest performance on the rock-specific tallies. Internationally, NIRATIAS peaked at number 68 on the Canadian Albums Chart. On the singles charts, "Self Destructor" peaked at number 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart and number 35 on the Alternative Airplay chart, while also reaching the top 3 on the Active Rock radio chart. "Peach" and the remaining singles achieved only minor airplay rotation without notable peak positions on major Billboard charts. By 2025, NIRATIAS has experienced no significant re-charting on major weekly tallies, though its streaming metrics have shown resurgence in connection with the band's active 2025 touring schedule and promotional efforts, including the release of their tenth studio Bright as Blasphemy.

Year-end charts

NIRATIAS achieved moderate success on year-end , reflecting its solid performance within the rock genre despite limited mainstream crossover. On Billboard's Top Rock Albums year-end chart for 2021, the album ranked at number 94, based on multi-metric consumption including sales, streaming, and track equivalents throughout the year. The album's long-term commercial impact has been sustained through consistent streaming activity, amassing over 62 million plays on by November 2025, indicative of ongoing fan engagement in the post-release years. As of November 2025, NIRATIAS has not earned any RIAA certifications, aligning with its status as a reliable mid-tier rather than a blockbuster. International year-end data remains sparse, limited by the band's primarily U.S.-centric appeal and niche rock positioning, with no notable rankings on global platforms like the annual summaries.

Credits

Track listing

The standard edition of NIRATIAS features 13 tracks with a total runtime of 50:36. The album's track order is designed to support its conceptual flow, exploring themes of and through a narrative arc. All songs are written primarily by .
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."" (instrumental)Loeffler3:31
2."So Long, Mother Earth"Loeffler4:52
3."Mars Simula"Loeffler4:11
4."Sleep the Deep" ()Loeffler1:06
5."Self Destructor"Loeffler5:47
6."Piistol Star (Gravity Heals)"Loeffler4:49
7."VVurmhole" ()Loeffler0:19
8."Peach"Loeffler4:16
9."Test Test... Enough"Loeffler2:08
10."Endlessly"Loeffler5:14
11."Remember When"Loeffler4:29
12."Ghost and Razor"Loeffler5:50
13."Lost in Digital Woods"Loeffler4:02
There are no major variant editions, such as a deluxe version, and all tracks are original to the album.

Personnel

Chevelle
Pete Loeffler – lead vocals, guitar, bass guitar, piano, programming
Sam Loeffler – drums, percussion
Additional musicians
Brian Kilgore – timpani, chimes, percussion (on "Endlessly")
Production
– producer, mixing, recording
– co-producer, songwriter
Engineering
– engineering
Greg Foeller – assistant engineering
Jun Murakawa – assistant engineering
Technical staff
Bruce Jacoby – drum technician
Mike Fasano – drum technician
Dan Druff – guitar technician
Mark "Stig" Daughney – guitar technician
Mastering
– mastering (Gateway Mastering Studios, )
Artwork
Jeff Schulz – art direction, design
Boris Vallejo – cover painting
Joseph Cultice – photography
A&R
Ezekiel Lewis – A&R
Dalia Glickman – A&R administration
Tiffany Sant'Anselmo – A&R operations

References

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