Chevelle Albums Ranked: Fan Favorites (2025)

Ranking the discography of a band as consistent as Chevelle is always a challenge.

For decades, the Loeffler brothers have delivered a powerful and distinct brand of hard rock. Their catalog is packed with quality, making any definitive list a source of passionate debate.

We're looking at the Chevelle albums ranked, but our primary guide is fan sentiment. This list is built on community discussion and the lasting buzz around each record.

It helps us see what many consider the best Chevelle albums. Later, we'll see how popularity data tells a different story.

Ranking Chevelle's albums: The fan favorites

Here's how the albums stack up based on fan sentiment, community discussions, and overall buzz.

We're starting with the most beloved.

1. Sci-Fi Crimes (2009)

Sci-Fi Crimes is the fifth studio album from Chevelle, released in 2009.

The band took a different approach to recording this time, tracking the album live in the studio with producer Brian Virtue. They wanted to capture a sound that was more true to their powerful live shows.

This process meant avoiding samples and heavy tuning, resulting in a rawer, more organic feel. The album debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200, which was the band's highest chart entry at the time.

Key tracks:

• Jars
• Sleep Apnea

Crowning our fan-ranked list, Sci-Fi Crimes is often hailed as a masterpiece by the Chevelle faithful.

Its unique conceptual themes and the raw energy of its live-in-studio production make it stand out. This is the album many fans point to as the band's creative peak.

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2. Point #1 (1999)

Point #1 is Chevelle's debut studio album, which first introduced the band to the world in 1999.

It stands as their only collaboration with famed producer Steve Albini. The recording sessions aimed for an unrefined, indie feel, capturing the band's raw talent in its earliest form.

While it only achieved minor commercial success compared to their later work, the album laid a critical foundation for their sound.

Key tracks:

• Point #1
• Mia

The band's debut album holds a special place for many longtime listeners.

Its placement this high shows a deep appreciation for Chevelle's roots. The raw, unfiltered energy produced by Steve Albini is a sound many fans believe captured the band's hungry beginnings perfectly.

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3. Vena Sera (2007)

Released in 2007, Vena Sera is Chevelle's fourth studio album.

This was the first record to feature bassist Dean Bernardini, the brother-in-law of Pete and Sam Loeffler. His addition brought a new dynamic to the rhythm section.

The album was certified gold in 2020, showcasing its staying power with listeners over a decade after its release.

Key tracks:

• I Get It
• Saferwaters

Vena Sera is often seen as a workhorse album that solidified the band's mid-career sound.

Fans appreciate its heavy, muscular riffs and Pete Loeffler's signature vocals. It's a powerful and reliable record that has earned its high ranking through sheer consistency.

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4. NIRATIAS (2021)

NIRATIAS, an acronym for "Nothing Is Real and This Is a Simulation," is the band's ninth studio album, released in 2021.

This record stands out as a concept album, exploring themes of interstellar travel, mistrust, and the past. It features more instrumental and spoken-word tracks than their previous work.

It was also their first album recorded as a two-piece, with Pete Loeffler handling both guitar and bass duties.

Key tracks:

• Self Destructor
• Remember When

The band's most recent effort has clearly resonated strongly with the fanbase.

The ambitious, sci-fi concept and willingness to experiment with their sound were seen as a bold and successful move. It proves Chevelle is still capable of pushing their creative boundaries decades into their career.

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5. Wonder What's Next (2002)

Wonder What's Next, released in 2002, was Chevelle's massive breakthrough album.

It spawned huge singles like "The Red" and "Send the Pain Below," which pushed the band into the mainstream. The album's success earned them a spot on the main stage of Ozzfest 2003.

Selling over two million copies in the United States, it remains the band's most commercially successful record to date.

Key tracks:

• The Red
• Send the Pain Below

While it might be their most famous album, Wonder What's Next lands in the middle of the fan ranking.

This doesn't diminish its importance. Instead, it shows that while fans respect the album that brought the band widespread success, they often connect more deeply with other parts of the discography.

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6. Hats Off to the Bull (2011)

Hats Off to the Bull is Chevelle's sixth studio album, which arrived in 2011.

The record features the powerful lead single "Face to the Floor," a track inspired by the Bernie Madoff investment scandal. The album's title itself reflects Pete Loeffler's disgust with the sport of bullfighting.

It was praised by critics for its heavy, dramatic, and muscular sound.

Key tracks:

• Face to the Floor
• Hats Off to the Bull

This album is a solid and respected entry in the Chevelle catalog.

Its position here suggests fans view it as a very strong, yet perhaps more straightforward, rock record compared to the more experimental or raw albums ranked higher.

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7. The North Corridor (2016)

Released in 2016, The North Corridor is Chevelle's eighth studio album.

This record is widely considered to be the band's heaviest and darkest effort in over a decade. It focuses on aggressive guitar riffs and lyrical themes influenced by horror.

It also marked the final studio album with bassist Dean Bernardini, who departed the band in 2019.

Key tracks:

• Joyride (Omen)
• Door to Door Cannibals

The North Corridor is celebrated by fans who love Chevelle's heavier side.

Its aggressive tone is a definite highlight, but its lower ranking might suggest that the fanbase as a whole slightly prefers the band's more melodic or experimental inclinations.

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8. La Gárgola (2014)

Chevelle's seventh studio album, La Gárgola (Spanish for "The Gargoyle"), was released in 2014.

The album cover famously depicts Pete Loeffler wearing a plague doctor mask, hinting at the record's darker tone. It was a commercial success, debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and becoming their highest-charting album.

Producer Joe Barresi returned for this album, helping to shape its heavy and atmospheric sound.

Key tracks:

• Take Out the Gunman
• An Island

Despite being the band's highest-charting album, La Gárgola sits lower in the fan ranking.

This is a classic example of commercial success not always aligning with deep fan connection. While a strong record, it seems other albums have left a more lasting impression on the core fanbase.

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9. Bright as Blasphemy (2025)

Bright as Blasphemy is the tenth studio album from Chevelle, released in August 2025.

It marks a new chapter for the band as their first release on Alchemy Recordings after a long tenure with Epic Records. It is also their shortest album in length and the only one produced solely by Pete Loeffler.

The band described the writing process as "torturous," suggesting a challenging but ultimately focused creative period.

Key tracks:

• Pale Horse
• Rabbit Hole - Cowards, Pt. 1

As the newest released album, Bright as Blasphemy naturally sits at the bottom of a sentiment-based ranking.

It simply hasn't had the time to build the history and connection that older albums have. It will be exciting to see where it lands once fans have had time to live with it.

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10. This Type Of Thinking (Could Do Us In) (2004)

This is Chevelle's third studio album, released in 2004.

Following the massive success of their previous record, the band felt significant pressure from their label to deliver another hit. The album charted high, debuting at No. 8, and was certified platinum.

It continued the heavy, melodic style of Wonder What's Next and was the final album to feature all three Loeffler brothers, as bassist Joe Loeffler departed in 2005.

Key tracks:

• Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)
• The Clincher

It's surprising to see a platinum-selling album with major hits at the bottom of the fan ranking.

Some fans feel the pressure the band was under is audible on the record, suggesting it may sound less inspired than other works. For many, it's a solid but perhaps less distinctive chapter in their story.

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Picked your top Chevelle classic? Check out Chevelle's discography on their Roll The Record Artist hub.

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Chevelle albums: A look at popularity data

While fan sentiment paints a rich picture, current popularity data can offer another interesting angle.

This looks at an artist's discography through a different lens.

Below is a ranking of Chevelle's albums based on their popularity scores from available data. This reflects which releases are currently seeing significant engagement.

Popularity Rank	Album Title	Release Year
1	Wonder What's Next	2002
2	Hats Off to the Bull	2011
3	This Type Of Thinking (Could Do Us In)	2004
4	Bright as Blasphemy	2025
5	Sci-Fi Crimes	2009
6	Vena Sera	2007
7	NIRATIAS	2021
8	La Gárgola	2014
9	The North Corridor	2016
10	Point #1	1999
11	Any Last Words	2011

Quick FAQs about Chevelle's albums

Q: What makes the sound of Sci-Fi Crimes different from other Chevelle albums?

A: The band recorded Sci-Fi Crimes live in the studio to better capture their live sound. They intentionally avoided using samples and heavy tuning to create a more raw, authentic record.

Q: What is the cover art for Sci-Fi Crimes?

A: The album cover is an original oil painting created by bassist Dean Bernardini on a large 24x48 canvas, adding a personal artistic touch to the release.

So there you have it, a deep look at the Chevelle albums ranked by different measures.

The fan list celebrates creativity and raw energy, while the popularity data highlights the massive commercial hits.

Ultimately, the best Chevelle album is the one that connects with you. Each record represents a different era for this incredible band.

What does your personal ranking look like? Let us know which album holds the top spot for you.