Vendetta Red has been big in the underground scene for some time, and in 2003 released Between The Never and the Now on Epic Records. The album seemed a disappointment to many fans seeing as it contained almost all the same songs as their previous release.
Now in 2005, Vendetta Red has released their seconds major label album and it will bury away any doubts about them. The album takes its name from a dead cult called the Brothers and Sisters of the Red Death that formed in Japan in the 1700s but was mostly based in Russia. In 1900, they lit fire to themselves and died to purify themselves for an apocalypse they predicted.
Zach has explained that this is a concept album set in the future after a nuclear holocaust. Men are running the world and ruining it as religious wars are raging on. Women are constantly the victims to rape and abuse. Gloria is a women filled with hate for men after being victimized and begins to create a following to rise up. Thus the great castration begins:
1. Vendetta Red Cried Rape On Their Date With Destiny: Oh wow what a way to open the album. The verse makes you feel like dancing along and the chorus is one of the catchiest things I’ve ever heard. The lyrics are extremely brutal, telling the story of a woman that had been brutally beaten. The chorus line “Oh Holy Grace, they made love to your face with a box cutter” really sums up the song and is delivered amazingly. Perfect opening song, one of the best on the album, really prepares you for the ride you are about to go on. 10/10
2. The Body and The Blood: I had first heard this song on an EP they gave out at shows promoting the new album. It flows in seamlessly from the first track and the opening riff is great. Catchy awesome song with twisted lyrics, what really gets me is Zach’s screaming at the end. 10/10
3. A Dark Heart Silhouette: The first softer song on the album. Dark Heart is a twisted little song about witnessing their Sunday school preacher rape someone. Great chorus, great song. 9/10
4. Shiver: Another song off the albums EP, this song is stunning. Nice little bass line and a creepy melodic chorus. Gets more into the albums plot about women extracting their revenge on men, and talks about Gloria (reusing the Medusa Madonna reference in Body and Blood) seducing you and then killing you: “first you shiver, then you die!” I love the bridge where the song really rocks out. 9.5/10
5. In Lieu of Dead Brides...Claustrofuckingphobic
: First time I heard this song was at their show with Schoolyard Heroes. Ryann (the female vocalist of Schoolyard) came out and sang back-up and waltzed with Zach the whole time. I was a bit sad when she wasn’t on the album, but Zach’s high voice for backup is still tight. First line of the song gets you hooked, nice melodic song. 9/10
6. Silhouette Serenade: Everyone knows this one. This is their first single from the album which makes sense as it sound the most ‘radio-ized’ on the album. But that’s not a bad thing as this song still rocks, kicking in from a violin intro to a beautiful love song. 10/10
7. The Banshee Ballet: Straight up, my favorite song on the album. Oh so catchy, oh so dirty. “She had her holy way with me, and made me cum like the clergy” might be the best line on the album. Zach’s vocals really shine on this song, and the drums really get you moving, this song is a must. 10/10
8. The Great Castration: Soft and creepy as all hell. Deals a lot with revenge on the church and men for rape. The title pretty much sums up the female revenge, and the bridge with Zach screaming is really great. Not my fav song but still good. 7/10
9. Gloria: The drum intro on this one is awesome. Tells the tale of Gloria, Zach’s character for the albums story and explains that she has been deformed by nuclear radiation. Upbeat and very melodic, worth a listen. 8/10
10. Run: This song has a nice “punkish” feel to it at the beginning and leads to an eerie verse with a very catch chorus. Good guitar and great lyrics, gives off more of an old-school Vendetta Red feel. 8.5/10
11. Coital Improv: On first listen I didn’t think much of this song. After giving it a few tries I really got into it. This song deals with nuclear war and pretty much the destruction of the world. The soft melodic guitar coupled with the keyboard really makes you feel like you are there witnessing the nuclear fallout described. 9/10
12. Joyless Euphoria: This is a brutal song. Talks about Gloria’s revenge on her rapist in upfront bloody fashion. Apparently she destroyed him “A faceless f*** betrothed to his bedside, a bedpan for a bride!”. The ending is stunning, breakdown to Zach talking about the man being facedown in a bloody pool missing his arms and legs. Brutal ending to a very brutal album, perfect way to close it out. 10/10
But wait, there’s more. About a minute after Joyless, a hidden track kicks in. It is only about a minute long and has a very punk feel too it. All about shooting up with a rusty syringe. Amazing hidden track, glad it was there. 9/10
Overall: This is a very solid release by Vendetta Red and surpasses their previous albums and is probably my favorite release this year. Definitely worth checking out, and if you’ve never heard them before, then stop sitting there and check them out.
Recommended Songs:
The Banshee Ballet
Vendetta Red Cried Rape On Their Date With Destiny
The Body and The Blood
Zach Davidson: Vocals and lyrics
Justin Cronk: Guitar
Michael Vermillion: Bass
Burke Thomas Overdrive: Drums
Erik Chapman: Guitar
Joseph Childres: Keys
