The Evolution of Chaos
The Evolution of Chaos is the third studio album by American thrash metal band Heathen. It is their first album in 18 years since 1991's Victims of Deception. It was released in Japan on December 23, 2009 via King Records, January 25, 2010 in Europe, and on March 31, 2010 in the US via Mascot Records.[1][2] This album marked the band's first to feature guitarist Kragen Lum, the second and last to feature drummer Darren Minter, and would be the only one to feature Jon Torres on bass.
| The Evolution of Chaos | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | December 23, 2009 (Japan) January 25, 2010 (Europe) March 31, 2010 (United States) January 31, 2020 (10th Anniversary Edition) | |||
| Recorded | 2008–2009 | |||
| Genre | Thrash metal | |||
| Length | 68:29 | |||
| Label | Mascot Records, King Records | |||
| Producer | Juan Urteaga and Heathen | |||
| Heathen chronology | ||||
| ||||
Release edit
Heathen had recorded The Evolution of Chaos in 2008 and was originally scheduled for release on July 20, 2009, but was pushed back to late 2009 as more time was needed to complete the mixing process.[3]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" (instrumental) | Lee Altus | 1:21 | |
| 2. | "Dying Season" | David White | Altus | 5:41 |
| 3. | "Control by Chaos" |
| Kragen Lum | 7:09 |
| 4. | "No Stone Unturned" | White | Altus | 11:10 |
| 5. | "Arrows of Agony" | White | Altus | 6:40 |
| 6. | "Fade Away" | White | Altus | 5:43 |
| 7. | "A Hero's Welcome" | White | Altus | 6:51 |
| 8. | "Undone" | Lum | Lum | 6:42 |
| 9. | "Bloodkult" | White | Jon Torres | 4:31 |
| 10. | "Red Tears of Disgrace" | White | Lum | 5:51 |
| 11. | "Silent Nothingness" | White | Altus | 6:50 |
| Total length: | 68:29 | |||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" (instrumental) | 1:21 |
| 2. | "Dying Season" | 5:41 |
| 3. | "Control by Chaos" | 7:09 |
| 4. | "No Stone Unturned" | 11:10 |
| 5. | "Arrows of Agony" | 6:40 |
| 6. | "Fade Away" | 5:43 |
| 7. | "A Hero's Welcome" | 6:51 |
| 8. | "Undone" | 6:42 |
| 9. | "Bloodkult" | 4:31 |
| 10. | "Red Tears of Disgrace" | 5:51 |
| 11. | "Seasons in Purgatory" (bonus track) | 4:34 |
| 12. | "Silent Nothingness" | 6:50 |
| Total length: | 73:03 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Making of The Evolution of Chaos Documentary" | |
| 2. | "Death by Hanging" (Live in Japan 2009) | |
| 3. | "Mercy Is No Virtue" (Live in Japan 2009) | |
| 4. | "Goblin's Blade" (Live in Japan 2009) | |
| 5. | "Opiate the Masses" (Live in Japan 2009) | |
| 6. | "Kill the King" (Live in Japan 2009) | |
| 7. | "Breaking the Silence" (Live in Japan 2009) | |
| 8. | "Dying Season" (Live in Japan 2009) | |
| 9. | "Open the Grave" (Live in Japan 2009) | |
| 10. | "Hypnotized" (Live in Japan 2009) | |
| 11. | "Dying Season" (Director's Cut) | |
| 12. | "Dying Season" (HD) |
Reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | link |
| Jukebox Metal | link |
| Metal Rules | link |
| Ultimate Guitar | link |
Reviews for the album have been very positive. Metal Rules gave the album a perfect five out of five, calling it an "absolute masterpiece of modern thrash" and "flawless in almost every way".[4] The album has also netted an 8.7 out of 10 on Ultimate Guitar.[5]
Personnel edit
- David White – lead vocals
- Lee Altus – guitars
- Kragen Lum – guitars, backing vocals
- Jon Torres – bass, backing vocals
- Darren Minter – drums, backing vocals
Additional musicians
- Steve DiGiorgio – bass (fretless) on "No Stone Unturned", sitar on "Intro"
- Jon Allen – percussion and chimes on "Intro", backing vocals
- Gary Holt – guitars solo on "Control by Chaos"
- Adam Harrington – narration on "A Hero's Welcome", backing vocals
- Juan Urteaga – backing vocals
- Rob Dukes – backing vocals
- Dean Bardwell – backing vocals
- Tambre Bryant – backing vocals
- Terry Lauderdale – lead guitars on "Arrows of Agony" and "Silent Nothingness", backing vocals
- Alina "Squeak" Hernes – backing vocals
Production
- Travis Smith – artwork, layout, design
- Juan Urteaga – producer, recording
- Alina "Squeak" Hernes – photography
- Jacob Hansen – mixing, mastering
- Jeppe Anderson – engineering (assistant)
Note edit
"A Hero's Welcome" features a voice-over from video game voice actor Adam Harrington, the brother of late guitarist Doug Harrington of Defiance, in which David White was also a member of from 1992 to 1995.
References edit
- ^ "HEATHEN: 'The Evolution Of Chaos' Release Dates Announced". Blabbermouth.net. November 18, 2009. Retrieved November 18, 2009.
- ^ "HEATHEN: 'The Evolution Of Chaos' To Receive Japanese Release This Month". Blabbermouth.net. December 4, 2009. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
- ^ "HEATHEN: New Album Delayed". Blabbermouth.net. June 10, 2009. Retrieved June 10, 2009.
- ^ "METAL RULES". metal-rules.com.
- ^ "Heathen: The Evolution Of Chaos". Ultimate-Guitar.com.