Review Summary: Got me panicking, for the wrong reason.
Before releasing 'Release The Panic', Red had their debut with 'End of Silence', which consisted of classic nu-metal with edgy screams and wonderful strings composed by Rob Graves. 3 Years later, Red returns with 'Innocence and Instinct': A more mainstream album with the strings blended much more into the songs, like they actually fit.
Upon the release of 'Until We Have Faces', we were greeted with fewer, average songs that really reminded of who we were listening to. Instead, we were given less energetic, nearly sloppy ballads with few to no strings at all.
And then 'Release the Panic' releases, and it's more UWHF and less RED.
If one were to listen to classics such as 'Let Go' or 'Out from Under' and then have to hear 'So far away', One would definitely notice the changes such as disappearance of strings and that powerful voice. Most of the songs here like 'Same disease' or even 'Die for You" seem to lean on the Hip-Hop genre and really fall out of the Rock genre. The last few songs on this album are very similar to ballads off of UWHF such as 'Not Alone' and 'Best is yet to come'. The latter of which I really didn't enjoy much.
The middle of the album is probably the most enjoyable, and while it's only 2-3 songs, it's the best you're gonna get. I personally loved "Hold me Now' and 'If we Only', Both of which are packed with emotion and are on most of my playlists.
"Said I'm not afraid, that I am brave enough, I will not give up, until I see the sun"
Besides the average lyrics, Barnes' voice is tested and has a good scream or two on "If we Only'.
I Haven't touched on the first four tracks yet mostly because I'm generally not interested in them, This is due to strings having no appearance and the fact that I'm not sure which genre Red is trying to appeal to. On the title track and 'Damage', Red tries leaning on a heavier side, with screams and a more frequent cymbal crash. While this would appease some fans, these songs are unfortunately paired with Pop song 'Perfect Life' and 'Die for you'. Both of which give a sense that Red is fading from their originality.
The last two songs, 'Glass House' and 'Moment we come alive' are catchy, if not great, songs that do bring a rather satisfying ending. This is because Howard Benson (Producer), finally allowed Red to return to form: beautiful strings and great beats accompanied by Barnes actual singing voice.
If Red rearranged their album format, and threw in a few rock songs, oh, and added Rob Graves back in, this album would be above average and would be worth buying.
