GRAMMY-nominated RED return with their seventh studio album, DECLARATION, a tour de force of a band at the height of its powers, with lead singer Michael Barnes' best vocals to-date crisscrossing the anthemic breadth of RED's unique balance of raw refinement and poised aggression.
"This album is definitely a statement," notes Barnes. "It is purely us, something we did entirely on our own. There is a lot of raw energy and unfiltered emotion." Guitarist/writer Anthony Armstrong agrees, "The album is a culmination of all that we've seen and learned, everyone we've met and connected with over the past 15 years. All these experiences shaped our approach to making the statement that is this album."
Gaining label freedom in 2018, the band partnered with their fans to launch RED Entertainment and release a string of new tracks, videos, and an EP through the end of 2019, building toward DECLARATION as their first independent album.
"In many respects," bassist Randy Armstrong notes, "there's no way to compare this record with previous albums because, as we see it, every record stands on its own. But making DECLARATION did feel different with that sense of independence to forge ahead more deeply than ever before, being as direct and honest as we've ever been."
RED has always poured everything into the recording process but being independent took it to another level. "My favorite memory from the recording process was how we finished," shares Barnes. "We were on tour with In Flames but still had a couple songs to complete. The tour had a day off after Salt Lake City, so right after we played that show Anthony and Dan (Johnson, drummer) rented a car and drove through the night to L.A. to track drums the next morning. Randy and I followed with the rest of the crew in the bus and arrived later in the day so I could track a bunch of vocals including the bridge on The War We Made. We then slept on the bus in front of the studio that night, went to another studio in the Hollywood Hills the next day to finish tracking, and then played the tour show in L.A. that night. That rock 'n roll energy is all over this record!"
Since bursting on the scene with breakout single 'Breathe Into Me' and album 'End Of Silence' (2006), both certified gold, RED have built a career on more than music. Blending Nu-metal and Alternative hard rock with elements of classical and orchestral, the RED sound begs for a visual representation of matching scope, something the band has never failed to deliver. From cross-album narrative-weaving music videos to pyrotechnic infused graphic-novel-come-to-life arena tours, the band delivers spectacle for multiple senses. The result is an intense, emotional connection with a global audience, now spanning 20+ #1 radio singles and 3M albums sold/streamed worldwide, and shared sense of anticipation and discovery with every new release.
That sense of discovery, shares Anthony, is always the best part of making albums. "Every time we make a record, I feel like we unlock more of the creative in our minds, breaking new ground and stretching ourselves stylistically. Each time that is our goal, never knowing whether or not we'll achieve it. Pushing boundaries is essential."
DECLARATION is available everywhere, April 3, 2020.
Red Announces New Album for Early 2013| Posted August 25, 2012
Red has announced the release date of their next full-length studio album to be February 2013. A specific date hasn't yet been announced. If you check out the band's Facebook page, they've been posting behind-the-scenes videos of the recording process - pretty cool to watch. In an interview with Michael Barnes, he said that the album will be "faster-paced" than their previous albums and sounds like "Innocence and Instinct on steroids." Getting excited about it!
RED is just AMAZING| Posted June 15, 2011
I started listening to them about 2 weeks ago....and I can say that they are great. Michael has a great voice...and that music....awesome! It sounds great when a dtrong sound of guitar is connected with violin and piano....this is a masterpiece.
RED is simply Amazing!| Posted February 06, 2011
I love RED and they have some very good songs to help people get through tough times in their life. I think RED is very good at making songs that everybody can relate to in one way or another.