Chelsea Wolfe - Birth of Violence (2019) Hi-Res

Just in time for the fall season, Chelsea Wolfe's sixth studio album is the embodiment of those eerie foggy autumn nights. As an instrumentalist and songwriter, Wolfe has evolved her artistry into something spiritual. The juxtaposition of her soft yet strong vocals draws you into her ghostly world, both dark and thrilling. Birth of Violence is a work of art that will please old fans and draw in new listeners too.

Setting the bar high, "The Mother Road" is an acoustic ballad highlighting Wolfe's orotund voice. The track ends in a triumphant moment, with an intense buildup that quickly subsides into a subdued mood. The dark and haunting ambiance of the entire album is a staple to Wolfe's expressive nature. Songs such as "American Darkness" and "Dirt Universe" are so dreamy and cinematic in their composition, the album as a whole flows well together.

Wolfe truly shows off her talent on "Deranged for Rock & Roll." She stays true to her eerie and spooky vibe, but manages to make it more bouncy and vibrant, with sluggish guitar and loud metal-like snare drums. "The Storm" concludes the record, not on a strong send-off, but one that is true to her style: a one-minute track of just moody rain sounds with thrashing thunder in the distant, and it's nothing short of relaxing and hypnotic.