Thinking of great brother bands like The Kinks, Oasis, The Everly Brothers, and even The Allman Brothers Band, one that has also made history is none other than Chevelle. Consistently active for decades, thirty years to be exact, Chevelle has created and produced legendary chart-topping songs such as 2002’s “The Red,” 2003’s “Send the Pain Below,” 2004’s “Vitamin R (Leading Us Along),” 2007’s “I Get It,” among many others. In total, this is a modern Hard Rock band in the upper echelon of success with a list of top-selling singles and one top-selling album after another.
Truly remarkable, the story of Chevelle is quite humble, like others, began with Brothers Pete Loeffler and Sam Loeffler playing music in their parents’ garage in their hometown of Grayslake, Illinois. Eventually comprising three brothers, Pete, Sam, and later Joe Loeffler, this trio formed the foundation for nearly a decade. With Joe opting for a different route in 2005, Dean Bernardini remained on bass guitar through 2019. However, in more recent years, the band has continued to be a potent force, with Pete and Sam Loeffler solely leading Chevelle.
Known for being a powerhouse and a force to be reckoned with, the duo of Pete and Sam Loeffler continues to create songs that draw an ever-growing audience. With their intense dedication to their fans and music, Chevelle now returns in 2025 with their twelfth overall studio album, Bright as Blasphemy. A follow-up to 2021’s NIRATIAS, Bright as Blasphemy is their first release since the 1999 debut, Point #1, not released on Epic Records. Instead, Chevelle released the new material through Alchemy Recordings on August 15, 2025, and it sticks true to the genre on which they have built their careers.
For their tried-and-true followers, there are songs such as “Pale Horse,” the lead single “Rabbit Hole (Cowards Pt. 1),” “Jim Jones (Cowards Pt. 2),” “Wolves (Love & Light),” and “Karma Goddess.” With their heavy guitars and hard-hitting drums, there are also the familiar yet unique screams of Pete. Furthermore, these are hardcore head-banging songs with the same underlying theme of rebellion and disgust with the current generation that most are all too familiar with.
The more experimental and/or slower tunes of Bright as Blasphemy make you feel like you are in a whole new world. This can be heard in “Hallucinations,” “Blood out in the Fields,” and “AI Phobias,” all of which feature the band’s signature dark and deep lyrics. Compelling to listen to, these tracks show the heart of the band.
Ending the album and making it truly complete is “Shocked at the End of the World.” Combining some synths and raging guitars along with some of the heaviest drum hits as well as the harshest of lyrics, “it’s too late now, they sold us war” and “it’s the end of the world,” it hits all the right notes.
All in all, Chevelle continues to melt the faces of their listeners with a unique and tasteful musical style, Pete’s distinctive voice, and their brilliant songwriting. A flash from the past with a progressive foot forward, Bright as Blasphemy is a must-listen for Chevelle fans, with Cryptic Rock giving it 5 out of 5 stars.
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