Vendetta Red Sisters of the Red Death |
|
 | Tracklist:
1.Vendetta Red Cried Rape on Their
Date With Destiny
2.The Body and the Blood
3.A Dark Heart Silhouette
4.Shiver
5.In Lieu of Dead
Brides...Claustrofuckingphobic
6.Silhouette Serenade
7.The Banshee Ballet
8.The Great Castration
9.Gloria
10.Run
11.Coital Improv
12.A Joyless Euphoria
| Ranking: #165 for 2005 | |
|
On 3 Lists
|
| Summary: Despite their affinity for lyrical grotesqueries, Vendetta Red have crafted a twisted work of genius in “Sisters of the Red Death” that would make Edgar Allen Poe proud. |
2 of 2 thought this review was well written
“Sisters of the Red Death” is apparently a concept album of some kind. What exactly this concept may be is far from clear. It somehow involves a half-medusa half-harpy named Gloria, nuclear holocaust, myriad mythological creatures, necrophilia, and copious amounts of violence and gore. This should whet anyone’s appetite for all things bizarre and macabre, but let it be known that depth of depravity found here may have no bottom. Right out of the gates some listeners may find themselves uncomfortable, or even queasy. Take this lyric from self-referential album opener “Vendetta Red Cried Rape On Their Date With Destiny”:
Tied with barbed wire and guitar string
to a junkie’s soiled box spring.
You were thankful
For the gym socks stuffed in you mouth.
‘Cause the blood soaked through the tissue
when your teeth broke when he hit you.
You denied him the pleasure he gets when you scream.
Even the most desensitized metal-head should raise an eyebrow or two while listening to such graphic passages. This will appeal to some while repulsing others, but “Sisters” offers far more than lyrical shock value.
Vendetta Red are best described as an alternative rock band, although an album title such as “Sisters of the Red Death” may suggest something heavier. Some have tagged VD as screamo, but this seems to be a misnomer as there are very few screams. Those present are tastefully done, and used to bring songs such as “The Body and the Blood” and “The Great Castration” to fever pitch. It should also be apparent that the lyrical subjects in no way resemble those generally associated with the genre. The instrumentation featured here is fairly traditional alt-rock fodder; rocky power chords dominate insanely catchy choruses while the rhythm section does their best to make things interesting without deviating too far from the basic song structures. Solos are not a big part of VD’s sound, but the leads are exceptionally well done and almost make up for this. While the musicianship is adequate, it is certainly not what makes this such a special album.
Vendetta Red have some eccentricities which vault their music to uncommon heights. Some are more easily defined than others. Perhaps most noticeable is the wonderfully distinctive vocals. These range from hushed coos to frenzied screams, and ooze emotion at every turn. Also impressive is the manner in which a dual-guitar attack is utilized to create a palpable sense of foreboding. This is pulled off with rare aplomb, and is much a character in this narrative as any banshee, harpy, or bloody corpse. It’s hard to pin down exactly what makes this such a spellbinding release, but part of the magic must lie in the juxtaposition of truly sinister (even morbid) lyrics being delivered in such lovely, ornate arrangements. Perhaps it’s the way that the record begs to be listened to in its entirety, and feels like a cinematic experience. In any case the album is one hell of a thrill-ride. Its assault on the senses simply does not relent. Examine this spoken-word passage from “A Joyless Euphoria” as it the last burst of brutality on SOTRD:
“Can you hear me?
There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you.
When you were laying face down
in a pool of blood and broken glass,
you never looked so beautiful.
So who’s the big man now, mother***er?
The one missing his arms and legs?
Well I wanna lick those bloody stumps,
and cum candy in your mouth until you cry.”
Despite their affinity for lyrical grotesqueries, Vendetta Red have crafted a twisted work of genius in “Sisters of the Red Death” that would make Edgar Allen Poe proud.
|
| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 5
VD is no laughing matter people...and yes, classic
edit: impromptu humor based on typo = not funny at all
| | |
I really liked the single to this. Album is okay.
good review, though you said the sound of the album is instrumentally lacking and "typical alt-rock fodder" which raises the question of why is this a classic?
I guess your classics don't really revolve around the music talent featured in an album which is something I can understand as Linkin Park's Meteora is a sentimental classic for me. Pos'd
Digging: Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself Digging: Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself
| | |
Awesome review, though I never heard of these guys
I'll have to, then, eh?
Digging: El-P - Cancer For Cure Digging: El-P - Cancer For Cure
| | | Album Rating: 5
This album is the biggest grower ever for me personally. I was initially like "hey this is kinda cool, those lyrics are floppin crazy!" Then some strange force prompts me tolisten to this and their other major release "Between the Never and the Now" exclusively for over a month straight. Now I can't go more than a month without listening to it and some how it just gets better every time.
| | | Album Rating: 5
We seem to share a lot favorites puddles, I would be very surprised if you didn't find something here to float your boat
| | |
Yeah, I can understand that. Maybe I'll give this another listen in the future.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Nice to see there's still love for these guys around.
Digging: Candlemass - Psalms For The Dead Digging: Candlemass - Psalms For The Dead | | |
Oh holy grace, they make love to your face with a boxcuter.
I have the first three tracks I downloaded like five years ago. Is it worth getting the rest of the album?
| | | Album Rating: 5
My god robo did you read the review or look at the rating? If you like those tracks you'll like the album. Personal fave would probably be In Lieu of Dead Brides or Gloria. Check those and perhaps delve deeper.
@ Dante - You still work with Zach? If so you can tell him there are still fanatics around.
...Grimbo, if you're still alive and well you should come back me up here!
| | | Album Rating: 4
he doesnt work with me anymore but we still do some warhammer occasionally lol
| | |
superfluous apostrophe in the album title bugs me
Digging: Hop Along - Get Disowned Digging: Hop Along - Get Disowned
| | |
this is an amazing album, and one i don't listen to often enough! great review, sums it up pretty well i'd say, although it seems every time i listen my favourite tracks change! their previous album is well worth checking out too!
| | | Album Rating: 5
This is the most Beautiful Fu**ed up music I have ever heard. I listen to them every day, so catchy, yet so messed up, but it works.
| | | Album Rating: 5
Cheers to you my good sir.
| | | Album Rating: 5
Still the best album no one listens to....
| | | Album Rating: 4
Still hang out with Zach every now and then.
| | |
|
Stumble
Digg
Twitter
Del.icio.us
