Self Inflicted

Self Inflicted, released in 2016, represents a pivotal moment in Chelsea Grin's discography. As their fourth studio album, it serves as the final recording to feature founding vocalist Alex Koehler and long-time guitarists Jake Harmond and Dan Jones. Sonically, the album moves away from the symphonic and technical deathcore flourishes of Ashes to Ashes in favor of a more direct, groove-oriented approach often associated with the 'nu-deathcore' or metalcore-adjacent movement of the mid-2010s. The introduction of Stephen Rutishauser on guitar maintained the band's signature triple-guitar density while shifting the focus toward staccato rhythms and massive, polished breakdowns. Critical reception was generally positive, with Allmusic highlighting its 'menacing and relentless' nature. The album's lyrical themes are notably darker and more personal, dealing with self-harm, addiction, and internal conflict, which aligns with the aggressive, claustrophobic production style.