My Damnation

My Damnation
Studio album by Chelsea Grin
Released	July 19, 2011
Recorded	January 13 – February 15, 2011, at Planet Z Studios, Hadley, Massachusetts
Genre	Blackened deathcore
Length	35:00
Label	Artery
Producer	Chris "Zeuss" Harris
Chelsea Grin chronology
Desolation of Eden (2010) My Damnation (2011)
Alternative cover

My Damnation is the second studio album by Chelsea Grin. The band entered the studio early 2011 and finished near the middle of the year. The title track was released as a single on April 17, 2011. My Damnation was released on July 19, 2011 through Artery Recordings.

Theme

Vocalist, Alex Koehler stated that the record holds a specific concept in contrast to their previous albums; "I wanted to make the lyrics based more on a story of a man’s journey from being a selfish tyrant, to being condemned to hell, seeking forgiveness, and salvation. I wasn’t trying to write a religious or spiritual album. I just find the concept of heaven and hell completely fascinating, so it makes it easy to write about." ^[1]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]
Audiopinions	[3]
The NewReview	[4]

My Damnation was met with generally positive ratings, but with mixed comments varying on the reviewer's opinion of the band's current sound. Allmusic, which standardizes ratings out 5 stars, gave it 3 stars and stated "Smashing together the macabre intensity of death metal with the chugging, technical gymnastics of metalcore, Utah’s Chelsea Grin brutalize listeners with their punishing sophomore effort",^[2] while others credited is a "great contribution to the dwindling deathcore scene."

Luke Amos of The New Review gave the album a 3.5 out of 5, but had a disappointed tone in his review as he stated; "Now, don’t get me wrong, this album isn’t bad. But it is bland. In fact, quite a few of the tracks get lost in the shuffle because they lack hooks." He later explained "I really wanted to give this album a perfect score. I love Chelsea Grin and will eagerly await their next release but sadly, this album isn’t up to par. I hope and pray that these young men see My Damnation as a critical moment in their band’s life. They are young and have the talent and potential to be much greater than My Damnation. If they take the lessons learned from this album and combine it with everything Desolation of Eden did properly then their third album will be an absolute monster. I advise everyone to at least give this album at least one listen. These guys deserve that much."^[4] Mind Equals Blown gave the record a 3 out of 5 with their concluding statement being "Although this album exhibits many things that have already been done, it’s really hard to say that it’s a bad album. Many deathcore purists will whine and hate on this album, but I really think that Chelsea Grin have come a long way with their songwriting abilities and vocal talents that popularized them in the first place. If you loved their single “My Damnation,” then this album will be on constant rotation for you. If you didn’t like the track, you will not like this album."^[5]

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Foolish One"	3:39
2.	"Everlasting Sleep"	3:18
3.	"Behind a Veil of Lies"	3:23
4.	"Kharon" (Instrumental)	1:18
5.	"My Damnation"	4:35
6.	"Cursed"	3:23
7.	"Calling in Silence" (featuring Nate Johnson of Fit for an Autopsy)	5:01
8.	"Oblivion"	3:35
9.	"Last Breath"	3:56
10.	"All Hail the Fallen King" (featuring Phil Bozeman of Whitechapel)	2:52
Total length:		35:00

Charts

Charts	Peak position
U.S. Billboard 200	64
U.S. Billboard Rock Albums	16
U.S. Billboard Independent Albums	9
U.S. Billboard Hard Rock Albums	6

Personnel

Chelsea Grin

• Andrew Carlston - drums
• David Flinn - bass guitar
• Jaek Harmond - guitars
• Dan Jones - guitars
• Alex Koehler - vocals
• Michael Stafford - lead guitar

Production

• Produced, mixed and engineered by Chris "Zeuss" Harris
• Artwork by Brian P. Johnson
• Layout by Mike Milford
• Photography by Jeremy Saffer

References

1. ^ "Audiopinions Interview". http://audiopinions.net/interviews/featured-artist-chelsea-grin/. Retrieved 29 July 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Heany, Gregory. "My Damnation [w/Artery Records Sampler"]. Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/my-damnation-r2219930. Retrieved 23 August 2011. 
3. ^ Williford, Ryan. "Chelsea Grin « Audiopinions". Audiopinions. http://audiopinions.net/reviews/chelsea-grin/. Retrieved 23 August 2011. 
4. ^ ^{a b} Amos, Luke. "Chelsea Grin - My Damnation « The NewReview". The NewReview. http://thenewreview.net/reviews/chelsea-grin-my-damnation. Retrieved 23 August 2011. 
5. ^ Briel, Ridge. "Chelsea Grin: My Damnation". Mind Equals Blown. http://mindequalsblown.net/2011/08/chelsea-grin-my-damnation/. Retrieved 23 August 2011. 

External links

• Chelsea Grin on Facebook