Evolution of Chaos

Heathen | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 16, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mascot Records
• ASIN: B0032IAB4W
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,093 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Intro

2. Dying Season

3. Control by Chaos

4. No Stone Unturned

5. Arrows of Agony

6. Fade Away

7. A Hero s Welcome

8. Undone

9. Bloodkult

10. Red Tears of Disgrace

11. Silent Nothingness

Editorial Reviews

The San Francisco Bay Area has produced what is undoubtedly the greatest lineage of Heavy Metal in the 30-odd years of the genre's existence. However, recent times called for the reformation of some of the Bay Area's finest Thrash bands looking to rise up once more and reclaim the throne of heavy music. Such is Heathen's story.



One of the most unique bands to rise from the second wave of the Bay Area Thrash explosion, Heathen's style is characterized by high-speed precision guitar with harmony sections coupled with melodic singing. Heathen was formed in late 1984 by Russian-born Lee Altus (guitars) and Carl Sacco (drums).



After the many years of changes. Heathen is now ready to release Evolution Of Chaos , the first full-length album of all new material in 20 years. Evolution Of Chaos has been a work in progress for the past 5 years, and Heathen is happy to say it s finally finished and ready to release.



Evolution Of Chaos , written and recorded by the current line-up of vocalist David White, guitarist Lee Altus, guitarist Kragen Lum, bassist Jon Torres, and percussionist Darren Minter.



Evolution Of Chaos is a true epic of Heathen s brand of metal with guest appearances from the likes of Gary Holt (Exodus), former Heathen guitarist Terry Lauderdale, and more. A must have addition to any metal collection.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let the evolution of chaos begin, March 10, 2010

By 

Murat Batmaz (Istanbul, Turkey) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Evolution of Chaos (Audio CD)

Both Breaking the Silence and Victims of Deception by Heathen are classic albums, but they have always been overshadowed by other thrash bands' releases that came out during the same period. The Evolution of Chaos is Heathen's first album in nearly 20 years -- unlike many other reunion/comeback discs, however, it is an unparalled success that will take its place among thrash metal masterpieces in the years to come.

This album is the epitome of thrash metal that avoids the pitfalls of any modern-sounding so-called metal albums. It maintains a very nice early 90s feel to it, utilizing hammering riffery from the outset, the unmistakable melodic facade brought to the songs by vocalist David White, and of course Lee Altus' signature guitar sound. The comparisons to later day Exodus are not completely off, given three of their (past) members make an appearance on this album and Altus is the primary writer. That said, Heathen's songs are a lot more varied and melodically developed. This definitely stems from the fact that all of the compositions impart indelible harmonies. Take the dual guitar force of "Control by Chaos", complete with intricate twin guitar sweeps, skin-peeling thrash riffs, and ultimately melodic harmonies. Whilst the song involves all the necessary thrash metal ingredients executed with primitive hunger, it is the guitarists' melodic explorations and White's gripping vocal parts that set it apart from other acts' releases. Also, the song contains a dexterous mid-part with hammering staccato riffs that precedes a fantastic run-out solo.

Two songs from the band's 2005 demo have been carried over to this magnum opus. "Dying Season" is a maelstrom of riffs and speed-of-light fretwork while "Arrows of Agony", epic in scope, merges relentless aggression with smooth melodies without pushing the song into "cheese" category. As a matter of fact, the solo on the song is so emotionally performed it makes for a religious experience. The melodic focus is further highlighted in the intro of "Undone" before a rhythmic anchor of drums and bass is worked into the mix, shifting the piece to its deserved thrash zone.

The centrepiece of the album is "No Stone Unturned" -- at over ten minutes, this song would be the best choice to represent the current Heathen sound: steady, unbreakable thrash metal riffs are wrung through a sick time signature with phenomenal guitar and bass (the fretless bass part is played by Steve DiGiorgio) interaction. The melodies are the best ever and they will reveal themselves more upon repeat listens. The calculated unison solo towards the end is quite possibly the album's highpoint from a creative standpoint. The final melody played atop this unison solo is mindblowing. It proves the creativity of Heathen has only increased during their hiatus.

What makes this album so great is also that each song stands on its own with its distinctive melodic traits and compositional elements. There is the technical piece "Fade Away"; the ballady "A Hero's Welcome", noteworthy for its shift between acoustic guitars and crashing metal thunder; the Exodus-like "Bloodkult", much more direct in its execution; or the blazing guitars of "Silent Nothingness", whose intro is easily the best thrash intro you will hear in a long time. The transition from the sweeping melody to the full-on thrash assault is stupepfying!

There is an array of guests on the album, from Exodus' Gary Holt performing the solo on the aforementioned "Control by Chaos" to the band's former guitarist Terry Lauderdale or the bass virtuoso Steve DiGiorgio whose sitar playing on the first track is simply gorgeous. He implants a strong eastern feel to it alongside Jon Allen's chimes and percussion work.

I have never been a fan of Jacob Hansen's production work as I feel he overcompresses any music he works on. This can particularly be annoying on progressive metal albums. However, on The Evolution of Chaos it works: the end result is a huge grey smear, compressed so densely that there is almost zero breathing room for the arrangements. The songs gush out like huge and thick crusts bludgeoning you from the start, and somehow it fits the music.

Will there be another 2010 thrash release that will match the intensity of The Evolution of Chaos? The answer is simple: No.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Evolution of Thrash, February 25, 2010

By 

revolution is my name "J" (sludge factory, KY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evolution of Chaos (Audio CD)

For those of you wondering if it's worth taking a chance on an older band from the Bay area that only has two members remaining from back in the day, the answer is a resounding Yes!!!

Heaviness, speed, good songwriting, and excellent production all come together on The Evolution Of Chaos. This album has a definite Exodus feel to it, which makes sense with founding member Lee Altus (who wrote a lot of the music) having played in Exodus. Gary Holt and Rob Dukes also make guest appearances.

This is one of those rare albums that will immediately make you bang your head and will keep you listening for a long time. With most songs lasting more than six minutes and one eleven minute monster this album has an epic feel to it without becoming pretentious or boring.

Overall I can't imagine a thrash metal fan being dissapointed with the new Heathen... To me this is the best metal album of the year so far...

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haven't lost a step., March 6, 2010

By 

Deimos "." (Alberta) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Evolution of Chaos (Audio CD)

Heathens glorious return to thrash! \m/\m/ Long overdue but worth the wait. This album picks up right where Breaking The Silence left off. Amazing riffs, still amazing vocals, great song construction and an amazing listen all the way through. Heathen have returned! \m/\m/