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02-23 Red release music video
02-16 Red Releases Video
02-04 RED stream album
12-21 New Red Song
11-30 New Red Song
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Rock, Nu-Metal |
The Band.
Randy Armstrong (Bass)Anthony Armstrong (Guitar)Joe Rickard (Drums)Michael Barnes (Vocals.
Passionate vocals. Gnashing guitars. A potent message.
These are the elements that make Red — both live and on their mighty debut, End of Silence—one of the mostbuzzed about bands to crash through
the Christian rock world in recent memory.
“We’re passionate about our live show, but sometimes we get a little too excited,” says bassist RandyArmstrong. He’s just stating the facts. Or more
to the point, the injury report. Hea ...read more
The Band.
Randy Armstrong (Bass)Anthony Armstrong (Guitar)Joe Rickard (Drums)Michael Barnes (Vocals.
Passionate vocals. Gnashing guitars. A potent message.
These are the elements that make Red — both live and on their mighty debut, End of Silence—one of the mostbuzzed about bands to crash through
the Christian rock world in recent memory.
“We’re passionate about our live show, but sometimes we get a little too excited,” says bassist RandyArmstrong. He’s just stating the facts. Or more
to the point, the injury report. Head contusions. Emergency rooms. Stitches. Andthat was just their last tour. “Anthony swung his guitar around his
body and smashed it into Michael's head causing theguitar to break and Michael to get seven stitches..
It’s more than just good theater, though. There’s conviction fueling the onstage bonfire, an inferno that burnsbrightly on the band’s first proper album.
“We’re intent on connecting with the crowd,” Armstrong explains. “We’re therefor them.They’re not there for us.” One might disagree. After all, over
21,000 MySpace “friends” in just over a yearonline speak to a devoted following of fans. One that should only grow with the release of End of Silence.
It’s a long way from their days growing up in Pennsylvania playing to area youth groups, performing popularcontemporary Christian music covers. “We
were pretty sure we were breaking copyright laws,” says Randy Armstrong with abit of a laugh. “It was fun. But for me personally, you grow out of
pop music. I mean, you always like it, but somethingabout somebody screaming in your face gets people pumped up and makes them want to listen.
Something aboutthat edge makes you feel a certain way..
As contemporary Christian rock continues to push boundaries of what a band can say with its music, bandslike Red are on the forefront. Having
personally dealt with tragedy, regrets, addiction, and a litany of past mistakes, Red looksreal issues right between the eyes on End of Silence and
refuses to blink. Guitarist Jasen Rauch hopes his past difficultiescan have a positive impact on listeners. He wants to remind everyone that, “No matter
where you’ve been, the endgameof salvation is still the same..
“People are hitting on subjects that are deeper and darker,” Armstrong says. “I think it’s just a sign ofChristian music evolving. But at the end of the
day, no matter what the message is wrapped in, the music is still aboutredemption. How people got out of their struggles and into their relationship
with God.”First single, “Breathe Into Me,” perfectly sums up this approach. Armed with angular, staccato riffs andMichael’s throat shredding yet
melodic vocals, the song is a fierce lament about looking back and not liking what you see. “Thisis where I lose myself when I keep running away from
you,” Michael’s shouts. His redemption comes in a chorus backedwith mournful strings and a yearning, almost pleading cry for God to “breathe your
life into me—I still need you..
Such heavy messages risk being overpowered and singed by the churning, often brutal instrumentation, butit’s a risk the band was willing to take.
“Rock bands aren’t always very well received in the Christian world,” says Armstrong.“But you look around at what bands are popular right now, and I
think the kids are paying attention. It’s a fine line, butI think we walk it pretty well..
Red’s duality—fiery, yet poignant—is best exemplified in the flip-sided duo of songs, “Already Over” and albumcloser “Already Over, Pt. 2.” The first
version is led by a dark, lilting piano and relentless snare before exploding inpure metal fury. Lyrically it documents a downward spiral, a running or
falling away from something good. “Pt. 2” is theantithesis. A stripped down happy ending of sorts, where the lost soul finally finds its way home.
After so much angst and upheaval, it’s a fitting final resting place for what should go down as one of the mostpowerful debut albums of the year.
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