Essential Records' two time GRAMMY-nominated hard rock outfit RED packs a potent sonic punch on its third project, Until We Have Faces, a record that leaps out of the speakers with a ferocity and complexity reflecting the band's growth and intensity.
From the opening seconds of "Feed The Machine" through the final, contemplative moments of "Hymn For The Missing," the four-man unit of vocalist Michael Barnes, guitarist Anthony Armstrong, bassist Randy Armstrong and drummer Joe Rickard shows both maturity and abandon can coexist within the various dimensions of rock RED inhabits.
The new album's overarching theme is a search for true identity, inspired by a number of sources, including author C.S. Lewis' book of similar title, Till We Have Faces. The band itself is working through its own new identity - as a four-piece with the addition of drummer Rickard.
Until We Have Faces takes listeners down the path of recognizing the hollowness of life until finding their true identity (revealed on "Faceless"), the idea of creative destruction unveiled in the midst of new life (found on "Let It Burn"), and simultaneously presenting the positive energy found even "in a world so cold" (explored on the infectious, melodic ballad "Not Alone").
Paired again with award-winning producer Rob Graves, Until We Have Faces features RED in its most musically intense place to date - "a combination of our first two records, but on steroids," Michael Barnes notes - daring both RED and its fans to catapult into new rock territories.
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AMAZING!!!!| Posted February 02, 2011
Each song is just simply INCREDIBLE!!! With so many great songs to choose from, it was REALLY hard to pick just ONE favorite! I love the lyrics, the beats, the vocals, it all meshes so well in each song! Just AMAZING!!!! Can't wait to see more of these songs live!!! The two at WinterJam Tampa, were not enough!!!!
Red "Until We Have Faces" Review| Posted February 02, 2011
Back in 2006, Red released their debut album End of Silence was nominated for a Grammy award. Three years later the band released Innocence and Instinct which sold over 39,000 copies in its first week, and also making history by being the first band in Christian rock history to have a single debut at #1 on radio. Now Red returns in 2011 with one of the most highly anticipated projects of the year, called Until We Have Faces. Inspired by C.S Lewis' work of a similar name, Till We Have Faces, this album is about finding your true identity and an anthem to those who are unsure of theirs.
Until We Have Faces kicks off with the heavy and extremely aggressive opening track “Feed The Machine” is written in the perspective of the world talking to the person, telling them to give up and be what the world wants them to be, instead of being who God has created them to be. This song is sure to please long-time fans of the band with its loud screams, violins, low growling vocals from the lead vocalist Michael Barnes and crunchy guitar distortion.
The first single “Faceless” continues with the story describing a situation where a person feels like they don't know where they fit in the world. The chorus has very passionate vocals and is also extremely catchy, “I'm not, I'm not myself/Feels like I'm someone else/Fallen and faceless/So hollow, hollow inside.” The following song "Lie To Me (Denial)" completes an excellent and engaging beginning, maintaining the hard rock sound.
After the aggressive beginning, the album slows with a few epic and emotional ballads. "Let It Burn" describes times where we as humans question the powerful presence of God during tough circumstances. "How long can you stand the pain/How long will you hide your face/How long will you be afraid/Are you afraid." Michael Barnes' vocals are at their best in "Buried Beneath". This song also has a diverse and interesting range of background noises in the chorus.
"Not Alone" reminds me a little bit of "Never Be The Same" as it is a very slow, emotional and passionate ballad. It reminds us that God will never leave us or forsake us and will always catch us when we fall. The harmonies from the rest of the band with Barnes' vocals during the chorus are absolutely beautiful, easily making it my personal favourite out of all the ballads. This song is different from any others in the set, because it doesn't use a lot of distorted guitar.
The album then grows into the heavier sound that was heard at the beginning with the songs "Watch You Crawl", "The Outside" and "Who We Are". "Watch You Crawl" is my personal favourite off the project because of its rapid guitar riff , passionate and triumphant chorus about conquering the devil and his evil temptations. "I will fight until the end/Get ready to collide/And I will watch you fall again/I'll bury you alive/You tried to bring me to my knees/You tried to take it all/Now I will stand and watch you crawl." The long screams in the bridge are so incredible that they make my spine tingle.
"The Outside" is the most aggressive off the album and was the type of song I'd been waiting for! This song is the one-of-a-kind edgy hard rock tune for the album with some incredible screaming vocals from Michael Barnes in the bridge.
"Who We Are" is an infectious song from start to finish that seems to take influence from Linkin Park's hit "New Divide". It reminds us that we don't have to worry about what the world perceives us to be in their eyes, because we are just who we are. "We can be who we are, now we are alive/We can fight, they cannot contain us/It's who we are, we are undying/We are forever." This song has to be my personal favourite off the entire album.
Until We Have Faces closes with "Best Is Yet To Come" and "Hymn For The Missing". "Best Is Yet To Come" is an upbeat tune giving listeners the hope that even after our world falls in a heap that there is hope of better things through God. "Hymn For The Missing" is a slow emotional piano driven ballad that reminds me of "Pieces" from the End Of Silence album. The song is dedicated to a friend of the band who has strayed from the Lord, as well as being a hope for other people who are lost in this world, that they will find the love of God. This song is very emotional, sometimes bringing tears to my eyes, and a perfect closer for the album.
Overall, Until We Have Faces is a very solid effort from Red, who prove that they are one of the strongest hard rock acts in the industry. It is a very challenging, thought provoking and emotional listen about finding our identity in this world. The only negative I have is that there was a lack of aggressive tracks on the album, with the opening track "Feed The Machine". I think that might be a bit of a blow to the hopes of long time fans of the band. The album definitely does take a while to grow on you, but once it does you're sure to be playing it over and over again. Red is one of those bands who can deliver a great mix of styles in their albums, and this one is no exception. This is a solid album, but not a great one, however it is by far the band's best project to date and definitely one to get your hands on, whether you're a hard rock fan or not.
Wow| Posted February 02, 2011
Feed the machine is absoulutely my favorite song so far. Red is amazing! :) i love the fact that this new album is super heavy and that's why i really like them :)
Wow!| Posted February 02, 2011
This year is starting off hot! Just like Hollywood who dumps crapy movies into the late winter months, the music industry tends to do the same thing. Not in the case of RED and Heath! If this is what we are to expect from this year, 2011 is going to be the biggest year is Christian music! As for this album, the one word that comes straight to my brain is "chilling." I'd add haunting as well. I struck me to my core and forced me to analyze whether I am "hollow...faceless." Am I living to please this world or am I dying for Christ. Only good albums have the power to do this, and this is more than good, it's fantastic. I am not going to gush on the technical aspects because this has already been well done, but I must say the pacing on this album is fantastic. I go all pyscho before RED draws me back down before getting me all hyped up again. Then, it chills me out. Buy this!
Pure Awesomeness| Posted February 02, 2011
This CD is FOR REAL! Pure and simple awesomeness! DO NOT MISS THIS DISC as Red brings their hard hitting sound crossed with classical sounding strings and piano for their third release. Red begins Until We Have Faces with their signature hardrock sound and continues cranking. Although in my opinion the best song is saved for last as the guys slow things down with Hymn for the Missing. Red is seriously the best rock band on the Christian charts and you are totally missing out if you do not at least listen to UNTIL WE HAVE FACES!
Until We Have Faces| Posted February 02, 2011
When I heard that REd was releasing a new album, and after watching the countless build-up Youtube videos, I knew this album would be great. The album starts off with "Feed the Machine" which just hones back in on the RED sound all fans are used to. The rest of the album is so heavy yet they keep the REd sound while not just handing out another Innocence & Instinct or End of Silence. If you have never heard RED or you want to, pick up this cd and the others because they are one of the best CHristian Alternative bands you can find.
Different Sound| Posted February 01, 2011
Though Red, at is core, is the same band, "Until We Have Faces" has a sound that's a bit different from their previous albums.
I've always been a big fan of Red, but I have to say, I really like the slight changes to their sound on this album. Some of the songs are definitely heavier with the screaming and over-all intensity. The other things I was surprised about were the additions of a chorus and female voices in the background. If I'd been told about this before listening to the album, I probably would've had mixed feelings about it. Now that I've listened to the album, I'm absolutely blown away! And the fac that this was a concept album just topped it all off. Amazing work!
awesome| Posted February 01, 2011
Again Red has put out an awesome album. Great message, great lyrics, great band. I love this.
I got to see them at Winter Jam in Florida and I along with my sons want to see a full concert from Red, not just four songs. They could have kept playing all night.
R u Kidding me?| Posted February 01, 2011
Can RED really be this good? I am not one for hard rock or even an screaming and yet I can't get away from RED. They are just too good. This album is such a breath of fresh air for this band. Not really a new style but a new quality. They have taken the best parts of the previous two albums and added killer lyrics and came out with an amazing sound. I so can't wait till the roads are cleared so I can go buy this album. I would do amazon but I don't want to have to wait for it to be shipped. Yeah, it's that good.
Red Screams Louder Than Ever| Posted February 01, 2011
When I was first introduced to RED back in 2004 by a music rep for Provident-Integrity Music, I wasn't sure what I would hear on the early sampler. I popped in the CD and started rocking out before my workout at the gym. I took the CD into the gym, told the front desk manager to pop this in the player, and the exercise rooms went crazy. People all over the place were asking, "who is this?!"
This new album goes to show the maturity of Red and how far they've taken this album to the next level. This is the hardest stuff I've heard yet from Red. With all the changes they've gone through the last couple of years, these guys continue to make large strides in the music industry leaving a footprint that will last for years! Rock on Red!
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