Album Rating: 4.5

It really is probably her best vocal performance. And I don’t hate the title track or anything lol



I think maybe I’m a little harsh on it because it really had me expecting a much more straightforward record like Birth of Violence when it’s anything but.

Album Rating: 4.5

god she sounds amazing on Swallower



“Seethe” would easily fit in a murky corner of a ‘90s alternative rock playlist…

Could not agree more, after listening to Cold that song really threw me off and I had no idea what to expect after… turns out, everything. She really does a little bit of everything here without it ever feeling forced or even a little out of place.

Album Rating: 4.0

Seethe, Humours and Turn the Key are my faves here, so I guess it’s when she reproduces the sound of Pain Is Beauty the most.

Album Rating: 4.0

@Wildcard, just keep on posting, your takes always make my day.

Album Rating: 4.5

Awh I’m flattered : )

Needless to say I need to listen to this.

Will read later.

Album Rating: 4.0

Recovery suits her. Nice positive reception on here too! Let us know Voivod

Album Rating: 4.0

a lot of fans seem disappointed, nice to see different takes here. i think timing-wise, after her last effort, this one makes perfect sense. and wow, i feel we never hear chelsea's vocals THIS unobstructed.

@wildcard

After listening to the full album now... it's pretty solid actually. And i think this was a case of the singles being better in the context of the album for me. I think i actually prefer this to her last album too

@hamid

I wonder if she's reducing the reverb on her vocals as she becomes a better singer lol. I feel like she's gotten better over the course of her career and she sounds great here

Album Rating: 4.5

I know it’s only been out for a day but I’d say it’s easily her best vocal performance. She sounds amazing here and there’s some legitimately jaw dropping moments. A lot of harmonies too, which does make me wonder how she’ll pull this off live. a backing track would be the most obvious answer but it’d be pretty cool if she got another woman to play bass or guitar or synths or whatever that can pull off some of those parts live too



All that to say: yes I totally agree that her vocals have never been mixed as clearly as this. It really suits her well because she has just such a naturally beautiful voice. I feel like I’m noticing a bit of an Ethel Cain influence on this record, which is ironic because Hayden was undoubtedly influenced by Chelsea.

Also album art with titties gets my approval

Album Rating: 4.5

I think I can confidently say that 2026 is the best year for music in my lifetime. If we get new Gorguts I might have a fucking heart attack

Album Rating: 4.5

I’m very seriously considering using my points to catch a flight to see one of her shows…

eh wat, new CW? Man, I really need to catch up.

Album Rating: 4.5

Dewi spotted I repeat dewi spotted



You’ll like it man, report back!

Album Rating: 5.0

it’s a classic

opening track lowkey sounds like Chelsea Wolfe doing an homage to City and Colour lol

I know it sounds too simple-minded/black and white to pinpoint the exact roots of this sound to just one source, but the entire "Female Gothic Folk Rock" (one of my favourite styles btw) movement of Chelsea Wolfe, Emma Ruth Rundle, Nicole Dollanganger, Julie Christmas and all the rest seems to be easily traced back to PJ Harvey's "White Chalk".

That album was such a game changer, and I feel it almost "accidentally" created this whole rooster of dark pagan feminine musical energy. If anyone knows an earlier example that captures that sensitive yet wrathful darkness, I'd love to explore some recs.

Album Rating: 4.0

Man I to be a lil obsessed with Chelsea’s music and for some reason after Abyss came out I just stopped listening to her. First time listening to a Chelsea album since the aforementioned Abyss and I can say a few things. I don’t know if it’s the fatigue that wore off or if it’s the fact that her music is completely different and sounds so much more refined as it did back in the early to mido 2010s, but it feels like I’m discovering a whole new artist while also recognizing it’s Chelsea Wolfe.



Also numerous little parts of this album ticled my brain real good like that part at the end of the title track where it slows down with the folky acoustic picking. Consider me back, this fucking rules

Album Rating: 4.0

@jalexander have you checked Nico’s solo albums like Desertshore or The Marble Index? Those may be the proto “dark pagan feminine musical energy” albums.