Fourth studio album from the Nashville Christian modern metal/rock quartet.
This is the fourth studio album from the Nashville Christian modern metal/rock quartet. The band has toured regularly with the likes of Skillet and The Letter Black in recent years, establishing a strong following amongst the religious rock fraternity. Since the 2006 debut 'End Of Silence' they have maintained healthy sales figures, winning several music awards along the way. Of all the releases so far this is the one I'm most unsure about, but I'm prepared to stick with it, being something of a fan.
The first half of the CD is a little like a search for a real identity. They flirt with several variations of the tried and trusted Red theme and, though the angsty melodies are still present, some of the songs come across as clichéd and generic. The title track is a great opener. The riffs spit fire, Michael Barnes vocals shift from clean to dirty with ease and the hook grabs hold and refuses to let go. Both 'Perfect Life' and 'Die For You' blur the musical lines separating Papa Roach and My Darkest Days, each having a strong commercial appeal. 'Damage' goes in a real angry direction but misses a hook and the bridge is everything the chorus should be. 'Same Disease' is far too repetitive, containing another weak hook line whilst semi-ballad 'Hold Me Now', though an improvement of sorts, is the kind of song Red did so much better on other albums. Thankfully the energy levels in the second half of the CD seem to find a higher gear. During all the remaining songs, from the incendiary passion of 'If You Only', through the emotional 'So Far Away' to the urgent 'Glass House' (a personal favourite), the performances and song writing reveal Red's real true ability.
The deluxe version contains five bonus tracks. Both 'Love Will Leave A Mark' and 'As You Go' would have slotted in nicely amongst the other material but the remixes of older songs are unnecessary and poorly executed.
Rob Graves worked with Red as producer on the first three albums and also contributed to the creation of the songs but the involvement of Howard Benson this time round indicates the record label has high expectations of the band. If this change has placed pressure on the band to deliver the goods then it certainly shows during parts of the album. Five or six great songs, two or three average ones but the rest are decidedly throwaway.
Dave Bott
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