RED
"End of Silence" (Sony / BMG /
Provident / Essential; 2006)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
I just about gave up searching for information on this
band. Try a Google search for “Red” ... my guess is you’ll get pages that number from 1 – 1,230,000,000. Good thing I’m patient and diligent so I can tell you about this awesome band from Nashville, TN. Red is Christian Metal but if you didn’t know that tidbit the lyrics could be interpreted with Mike Barnes just singing about anybody.
The music is heavy and the guitar smashes through the ghostly sounding orchestra that fills in each interlude. I’m one for strings in a song, especially if it’s coupled with a thick guitar, and Red offers that on all tracks. They also add piano into many of the tracks, you might be thinking they’re a poor man’s Linkin Park, but they’re
not. It's more like Linkin Park plus Chevelle helped to influence them. The drums keep a steady echo with the guitar and the vocals are blasting most of the time. When Mike Barnes is singing he’s got a great
voice; he pushes with emotion and can crescendo into a scream to escalate his point.
The lyrics are poignant but not pretentious. This band has dealt with real
tragedy but they don’t sing about how God is their buddy and everything is okay. Addiction, regrets and past mistakes don’t force Red to sugarcoat their message. They hope that in a way people will connect with them and see a chance for redemption.
I spun this CD for about two weeks straight and I never got tired of it. Red has all the ingredients I need for a great metal band. Check this band out and listen to a few
songs. I think you’ll agree: they’ve got staying power.
The best songs to pull you in are “Breathe Into Me,” “Let Go,” “Already Over,” “Wasting Time,” and “Already Over Pt. 2.”
Red: Mike Barnes – vocals; Anthony Armstrong – guitars; Jasen Rauch – guitars; Randy Armstrong – bass, piano; Hayden Lamb – drums.
For more information, check out http://www.redmusiconline.com
or http://www.myspace.com/dropofred.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2008 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 11 Nov 2008 01:17:31 -0600.
