Sam testing positive for COVID-19. In June 2022, the band announced that they were entering the studio to record their tenth studio album in November or December, with plans of releasing the album in 2023. It will be their first release without a major record label due to their contract with Epic Records ending. Musical style and influences Chevelle has been classified as hard rock, alternative metal, alternative rock, post-grunge, nu metal, and indie rock. The band's debut album Point #1 has been described as indie rock. The band's most popular albums, Wonder What's Next and This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In), are both described as nu metal. Wonder What's Next had been described as having a radio-friendly sound. Albums such as La Gargola and The North Corridor feature a heavier, more riff-oriented sound with lyrical themes influenced by horror. Their ninth studio album NIRATIAS incorporated elements of progressive rock and art rock along with a science-fiction theme. Their primary musical influences as stated by the band members are Helmet, Tool, and The Cure. Chevelle has frequently been compared to Tool throughout its career. Pete Loeffler's singing voice was stated to sound similar to that of Tool's Maynard James Keenan, and the band's music has been compared to Tool's "soft-loud vocal dynamics." According to Lauren Wise of Phoenix New Times, "[Chevelle have] never strayed far from their controlled chaos and somehow gentle rampage or their mix of dark magnetism and gothic pop (think early Tool meets The Cure if you haven't heard radio-dominating hits like "The Red")." Despite comparisons to Tool, many critics such as Andree Farias and Andy Argyrakis of Christianity Today have stated Chevelle as having a unique sound to their music. Andree Farias of Christianity Today has reviewed Chevelle's first three albums, praising them as "commanding vocals over jolting guitars and chest-thumping bass beats." In discussing the band's sound throughout their career, Raul Stanciu of Sputnikmusic stated, "It amazes me how Chevelle manage to maintain such a consistent output...[they're] always tweaking the overall sound in small amounts, so that you’ll be constantly surprised." Chevelle's music has also been described as "a kind of controlled chaos, a beautiful darkness, a gentle rampage of aural velocity." Band members Current members Pete Loeffler – lead vocals, guitar ; bass Sam Loeffler – drums Current touring musicians Kemble Walters – bass, backing vocals Former members Matt Scott – bass,