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Heathen - The Evolution Of Chaos



8.3 | 236 votes |
Release date: 23 December 2009
Style: Bay Area thrash metal

Owners:

253 have it
37 want it
1 trades it


01. Intro
02. Dying Season
03. Control By Chaos
04. No Stone Unturned
05. Arrows Of Agony
06. Fade Away
07. A Hero's Welcome
08. Undone
09. Bloodkult
10. Red Tears Of Disgrace
11. Seasons In Purgatory [bonus]
12. Silent Nothingness

Additional info
The album however is said to have been released under license in Japan on December 23rd.
Whereas it was released in 2010 in the rest of the world by the band's actual label (Mascot Records)

Japan - December 23, 2009
Europe - January 25, 2010
US - March 31, 2010

A remastered 10th Anniversary Edition including a bonus track was released on January 31, 2020

Staff review by
BitterCOld
Rating:
7.6
The last half decade saw the rise of Thrash-rehash. A bunch of bands picked up their axes and started paying tribute to 80's thrash.. and 2010 has seemingly seen the return of the old guard, with Exodus and Overkill both putting out some really good albums.

Add Heathen to that list.

Evolution Of Chaos is the band's first full length in 19 years. And despite two decades of sitting in a Bay Area garage, Heathen shows no rust with their relaunch.

Read more ››
published 04.08.2010 | Comments (14)

03.04.2010
In case you haven't heard the news, one of the best Thrash albums of 2010 has already been released. Don't make me say I told you so, but this album is totally awesome. And act surprised when they win a Metal Storm Award, okay?

Thryce's picks | More picks ››

Found in 23 lists
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Comments

Comments: 27   Visited by: 677 users
27.01.2010 - 18:30
JÄY
Metal slave
So far ive heard 4 songs from this, on the bands myspace and it sounds sick! i cant wait to get it!
Heathen has just the right amount of melody and aggression
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30.01.2010 - 19:44
Rating: 8
MIXHELL

Heather Are The Beasts
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30.01.2010 - 21:23
Rating: 8
InnerSelf
proofread free
I got it recently and did not have the time to sit and listen to it thoroughly.

I just wan't to know why the fuss is all around "especially in MA"
----
He who is not bold enough
to be stared at from across the abyss
is not bold enough
to stare into it himself.
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15.02.2010 - 17:34
Rating: 8
Dangerboner
Lactation Cnslt
This album is so awesome, besides that one USA-pride song lol.

Does Arrows of Agony remind anyone of Metallica? You know, the way it starts out heavy and mid-paced, then there's a nice interlude, and then it just blasts groovier and faster than before and has that blazing solo

I've had it rated as an 8 for some time now, but I might have to boost it to a 9 if it continues to grow on me. So far it's my album of the year, with Overkill being a close second.
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15.02.2010 - 17:40
Marcel Hubregtse
Grumpy Old Fuck
Written by Dangerboner on 15.02.2010 at 17:34

This album is so awesome, besides that one USA-pride song lol.

Does Arrows of Agony remind anyone of Metallica? You know, the way it starts out heavy and mid-paced, then there's a nice interlude, and then it just blasts groovier and faster than before and has that blazing solo

I've had it rated as an 8 for some time now, but I might have to boost it to a 9 if it continues to grow on me. So far it's my album of the year, with Overkill being a close second.


A review ios on its way of thios album. And yeah A Hero's Welcome is horrendous, especially that cheesy spoken part in it. The could have left the song off the album and it would still have been nearly an hour long
Arrows Of Agony does indeed remind me of Metallica, but No Stone Unturned at times as well.
Plus the soloing is stellar on this album
----
Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal

Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight
Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.)
05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996

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15.02.2010 - 17:47
Rating: 8
Charly546

Written by Dangerboner on 15.02.2010 at 17:34

This album is so awesome, besides that one USA-pride song lol.

Does Arrows of Agony remind anyone of Metallica? You know, the way it starts out heavy and mid-paced, then there's a nice interlude, and then it just blasts groovier and faster than before and has that blazing solo

I've had it rated as an 8 for some time now, but I might have to boost it to a 9 if it continues to grow on me. So far it's my album of the year, with Overkill being a close second.


Arrows of Agony reminds me of a certain Satan track, rather than Metallica. And the Thin Lizzy-ish song "A Hero's Welcome" - it is just too awesome. Maybe it's because I've listened to Thin Lizzy way too much lately - although I admit - that spoken word part is just not that good.

Overall, I'm not too fond of modern thrash, but I'm fond of this album. Fast, inspired and aggressive, plus a strong NWOBHM (the afromentioned Satan) influence.
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15.02.2010 - 17:56
Marcel Hubregtse
Grumpy Old Fuck
Written by Charly546 on 15.02.2010 at 17:47


Arrows of Agony reminds me of a certain Satan track, rather than Metallica. And the Thin Lizzy-ish song "A Hero's Welcome" - it is just too awesome. Maybe it's because I've listened to Thin Lizzy way too much lately - although I admit - that spoken word part is just not that good.

Overall, I'm not too fond of modern thrash, but I'm fond of this album. Fast, inspired and aggressive, plus a strong NWOBHM (the afromentioned Satan) influence.


I don't hear any Thin Lizzy in A Hero's Welcome whatsoever, and I have been on a major Thin Lizzy kick l;ately as well and also a Bible Of The Devil (definitely TL worship there) and Slough Feg (more TL inpsired music) neither do I hear any Satan in Arrows Of Agony.
What I do hear is loads of Master Of Puppets era Metallica and loads of Exodus as well (Exoodus of course not surprising with Lee Altus in that band as well)
I wouldn't exactly call this modern thrash cause the band of course started in the Bay Area years and years ago and still have loads of Bay Area influences in their music (hence the NWOBHM influences)
----
Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal

Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight
Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.)
05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996

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16.02.2010 - 05:05
Rating: 8
Dangerboner
Lactation Cnslt
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 15.02.2010 at 17:40

Written by Dangerboner on 15.02.2010 at 17:34

This album is so awesome, besides that one USA-pride song lol.

Does Arrows of Agony remind anyone of Metallica? You know, the way it starts out heavy and mid-paced, then there's a nice interlude, and then it just blasts groovier and faster than before and has that blazing solo

I've had it rated as an 8 for some time now, but I might have to boost it to a 9 if it continues to grow on me. So far it's my album of the year, with Overkill being a close second.


A review ios on its way of thios album. And yeah A Hero's Welcome is horrendous, especially that cheesy spoken part in it. The could have left the song off the album and it would still have been nearly an hour long
Arrows Of Agony does indeed remind me of Metallica, but No Stone Unturned at times as well.
Plus the soloing is stellar on this album

Yeah lol, but I don't mind the length of this album because it makes for good driving music. I can keep it in my car CD player for two days until I finish the album

Do you like this album more than their first two?
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27.02.2010 - 18:34
paulo figueiredo
Account deleted
"No Stone Unturned" itself worths the purchase of the album!
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04.04.2010 - 16:41
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
According to the band's MySpace page they released this in Japan on Dec. 23, 2009 via King Records, so it's not eligible for the 2010 MS Awards.

Anyway, I thought I'd check it out a while ago as a result of the hype and naturally I found the talk about the album exceeded its quality. Overall it sounds very average, although I appreciate the bit of old school sentiment...

I prefer Breaking The Silence.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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04.04.2010 - 18:35
Marcel Hubregtse
Grumpy Old Fuck
Written by Troy Killjoy on 04.04.2010 at 16:41

According to the band's MySpace page they released this in Japan on Dec. 23, 2009 via King Records, so it's not eligible for the 2010 MS Awards.

Anyway, I thought I'd check it out a while ago as a result of the hype and naturally I found the talk about the album exceeded its quality. Overall it sounds very average, although I appreciate the bit of old school sentiment...

I prefer Breaking The Silence.


Well, that was released under license and the rest of the world is way more than Japan released it in March. Btw the mysppace says it was released in japan in December whereas in fact it was released early January there.
----
Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal

Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight
Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.)
05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996

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05.04.2010 - 02:17
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 04.04.2010 at 18:35


Well, that was released under license and the rest of the world is way more than Japan released it in March. Btw the mysppace says it was released in japan in December whereas in fact it was released early January there.


Ya I just got a PM explaining that we don't feature Japan release dates anyway. Sorry for the mistake!
Also (if you don't mind me asking): how do you know it wasn't released until January even though their MySpace page says otherwise?

EDIT: Never mind, I read the edit log and understand where you're coming from.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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09.04.2010 - 20:31
Rating: 6
HardSide

It's not a bad album, but it doesnt beat victims of deception, unfortunately not a lot can beat that album.
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09.04.2010 - 20:38
Marcel Hubregtse
Grumpy Old Fuck
Written by HardSide on 09.04.2010 at 20:31

It's not a bad album, but it doesnt beat victims of deception, unfortunately not a lot can beat that album.


I find Victims Of |Dece[ption actualy overrated. Decent album nothing more though. Their demo and debut were vastly superior to VoD where they tried too hard to sound like all the other thrash bands out there.
----
Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal

Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight
Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.)
05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996

Loading...
09.04.2010 - 20:42
Rating: 6
HardSide

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 09.04.2010 at 20:38

Written by HardSide on 09.04.2010 at 20:31

It's not a bad album, but it doesnt beat victims of deception, unfortunately not a lot can beat that album.


I find Victims Of |Dece[ption actualy overrated. Decent album nothing more though. Their demo and debut were vastly superior to VoD where they tried too hard to sound like all the other thrash bands out there.


My problem with this album, it sounds dragged on and unoriginal, red tears of disgrace has some good points for it, but then it sounds washed up as if I've heard this song hundreds of times, only good song is dying season in my opinion.
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20.06.2010 - 01:56
LeChron James
Helvetesfossen
This album, from the outset, sounds infinitely better than Victims of Deception. i'll report back when i've finished listening to it.
----
Kick Ass, Die Young

Less is More
Stay Pure
Stay Poor

Music was my life, music brought me to life and music is how I will be remembered long after I leave this life. When I die there will be a final waltz in my head that only I can hear.
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20.06.2010 - 04:11
Lord_Regnier

Such an awful vocalist this band have. I tried listening to this album but there's no way I can enjoy it.
----
"Why would we fear death, when life is so much more frightening?"
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20.06.2010 - 17:26
Rating: 8
InnerSelf
proofread free
It has been a long time since I enjoyed a Thrash release but this album is just great it keeps on growing and never gets boring "maybe until now "
This album easily beats Overkill and Exodus "for me" and it would be a huge surprise if anything came out better than this one this year
----
He who is not bold enough
to be stared at from across the abyss
is not bold enough
to stare into it himself.
Loading...
11.07.2010 - 21:47
Rating: 8
sbgmetal

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 15.02.2010 at 17:56

Written by Charly546 on 15.02.2010 at 17:47


Arrows of Agony reminds me of a certain Satan track, rather than Metallica. And the Thin Lizzy-ish song "A Hero's Welcome" - it is just too awesome. Maybe it's because I've listened to Thin Lizzy way too much lately - although I admit - that spoken word part is just not that good.

Overall, I'm not too fond of modern thrash, but I'm fond of this album. Fast, inspired and aggressive, plus a strong NWOBHM (the afromentioned Satan) influence.


I don't hear any Thin Lizzy in A Hero's Welcome whatsoever, and I have been on a major Thin Lizzy kick l;ately as well and also a Bible Of The Devil (definitely TL worship there) and Slough Feg (more TL inpsired music) neither do I hear any Satan in Arrows Of Agony.
What I do hear is loads of Master Of Puppets era Metallica and loads of Exodus as well (Exoodus of course not surprising with Lee Altus in that band as well)
I wouldn't exactly call this modern thrash cause the band of course started in the Bay Area years and years ago and still have loads of Bay Area influences in their music (hence the NWOBHM influences)


i actually gotta agree that i did hear a lil thin lizzy on this album... on the song heroes welcome just check it out at 4:05 and its totally sounds like thin lizzy's "emerald" at 2:05... also kinda ironic is that emerald is exactly 4 min and 5 seconds long.... huh?? jaha... that or it might just be me who has been listening to a shit load of TL for the past few months
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12.07.2010 - 17:46
Rating: 8
vezzy
Stallmanite
Written by Lord_Regnier on 20.06.2010 at 04:11

Such an awful vocalist this band have. I tried listening to this album but there's no way I can enjoy it.


He's decent, in my opinion.
----
Licensed under the GPLv3.
Relinquish proprietary software for a greater GNU/America.
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29.07.2010 - 21:39
Maxx666
Meshuggahian
I still can't believe my ears after hearing this album. Heathen totally nails it, i mean totally. It's nothing short of awesome
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07.02.2011 - 16:33
Rating: 6
K✞ulu
Seeker of Truth
Same problem as Exhibit B: would most probably sound much better if it were 40% shorter. It doesn't have so much exciting, original material to make the record 68 minutes long, and it's thrash. Kinda ridiculous if you ask me.
----
Savor what you feel and what you see
Things that may not seem important now
But may be tomorrow

R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner

Satan was a Backstreet Boy
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11.07.2016 - 15:39
Rating: 9
Joppe
Steelemeister
The BEST Heathen so far IMO. It doesn't beat old albums in thrash since it's more heavy/speed*, BUT these are the best written songs by the band. The only song here I don't see as strong as others/is filler is "Fade Away" but other than that album is GREAT. Highlights? many, but above all "Control By Chaos", "No Stone Unturned", "Arrows Of Agony" and "Red Tears Of Disgrace". The album has great production too, which the two other albums were lacking.

The band was supposed to make a new album though there seems to be no recent info about it I hope it's still coming

* Maybe 20% thrash, 40% heavy, 40% speed is my interpretation
----
My vision is augmented
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18.01.2017 - 00:49
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
A woudnerful mis between agresive thrash and clean vocals, between US and Europe and between agresive songs and ballads, even TM bands has a ballads
Maybe bets TM band ever, so underated, awesome kick ass album
----
Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!!

Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''
apos;'
[image]
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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28.11.2019 - 11:24
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
Heathen is with David White.
16 hrs ·
We're back in the studio this week working on the new Heathen album and will be spending Thanksgiving together this year. We're thankful to all of you for your support and patience waiting for the new album. We can't wait to share this beast with you all!

Next week we'll be making an announcement about a special project, but it's not about the new album... It's about something old with something new, something silver and something blue. Stay tuned...

Happy Thanksgiving from Heathen!
----
Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!!

Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''
apos;'
[image]
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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11.01.2020 - 20:22
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
HEATHEN: Lyric Video For 'Control By Chaos' From 'The Evolution Of Chaos' 10th-Anniversary Remastered Reissue



----
Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!!

Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''
apos;'
[image]
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
Loading...
01.02.2020 - 14:12
Rating: 10
Metalheart@666

A Thrash Metal Masterpiece. Like their first two albums. Power, speed, unique voice and mega riffs and lot's of guitar solos. That is thrash metal is to write and play!
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