Review Summary: They Should Have Bled Red
When Howard Jones decided to leave metalcore giants Killswitch Enagage, many of his fans bellowed in frustration. Months after the decision, All Shall Perish guitarist Francesco Artusato formed Devil You Know and Howard jumped in to take vocal duties. The media became excited, and the band took benefit from the promotion. Their first album was a relative success: some fans praised the singer's talent, others scolded his purported lack of creativity.
There is a lot to enjoy over the course of "They Bleed Red's" eleven tracks. Most of the songs have furious guitar solos and catchy choruses. Efforts such as "Let the pain and "Break The Ties" are excellent examples where melody and rhythm coexist in chaotic harmony. "Master of None" and "Shattered Silence" showcase the talent in the guitar department: furious riffs with infecting grooves. On the other hand, "How the End Shall Be"or "Broken by the Cold" might leave the listener waiting for better.
Although the album is pervaded by consistent songwriting and great performances, "They Bleed Red" still follows up on the tropes of their first effort: it seems that they still have not found their identity. This evidently inhibits the musicians in the band from achieving their maximum potential.
