The Red Chord - Prey For Eyes

Band: The Red Chord
Album: Prey For Eyes
Genre: Metal/Deathcore
Label: Metal Blade

Tracks:
1. Film Critiques and Militia Men
2. Dread Prevailed
3. It Runs In The Family
4. Send The Death Storm
5. Pray For Eyes
6. Responsibles
7. Midas Touch
8. Tread on The Necks of Kings
9. It Came From Over There
10. Intelligence has Become Compromised
11. Open Eyed Beast Attack
12. Birdbath
13. Bone Needle

The city of Boston is known for being a home to all sorts of, "tough guys." Whether it be from fictional tales like that in, "Boondock Saints," or through the ever evolving underground music scene, the mention of Boston carries some weight and a promise to be something you can't simply ignore. A fine example of this can be found in The Red Chord who just recently released the album, "Prey for Eyes," via Metal Blade Records. It marks the bands second release on the label and their third official release altogether. The album's inspiration comes from a tale of a mentally ill convict who believed the devil had taken his tongue. The inmate communicated via notepad [though his tongue was perfectly fine] and after being told the devil had not taken anything from him, simply wrote, "Pray for eyes." Now, take a crazy tale like that and mix in some good old fashion Boston angst, and you have an album the seperates itself from your normal run of the mill metal.

As I already mentioned, the album is based off a person who was or at least was going insane and it's that nightmare like concept that is reflected in the music. Devoid of the typical verse/chorus/verse/chorus/breakdown/chorus formula, The Red Chord continuously set themselves apart from other "core" bands with each song on the album. Vocalist Guy Kozowyk has sets himself apart as one of the single best screamers in the industry today. His voice goes from deep growls, to throaty croaks, to straight in your face screaming with seemingly no effort at all. The guitars riff up and down the scales, but without any typical four notes and an accent stylings. The Red Chord makes it apparent early on with tracks like, "Dread Prevailed," and, "Send The Death Storm," that they are not wanting to be on your favorite bands list, but rather be the band you compare all others to in the metal world. The album rarely, if ever takes breaks from shear hardcore sounds, but in the moments when the guitars let loose, we find true musicianship that can sometimes get lost in all the speed and angst. "It Came From Over There," the 9th track, is a solid example of just what The Red Chord is capable of musically. There is a huge guitar solo that could fit in a 70's rock band and keys to bring a more recent twist on it, all the while maintaining the dark tones the album presents overall. It serves as a sign that metal hasn't reached a plateau of existence, but rather has so much more it can and will become in time. The album eventually ends with nearly six and a half minute, "Seminar," which plays like a history of the band and their progression. At first, it's fast a furious, but then becomes more complicated and grand as it builds and swells. The guitars sound like it's the last time anyone will ever be able to hear guitar and the drums hit hard and furious. It would be an epic for nearly any band, but given the strong grind history of this band, it may as well be their, "Bohemian Rhapsody," and it's the perfect and most fitting way to end Eyes.

I don't think I'll ever claim to fully understand the world of deathcore/grind metal, but I will claim The Red Chord's, "Prey For Eyes," as one of the best albums that I've heard to ever come out of that realm of music. It's fast and furious, yet crafted with such detail that it makes the music more accessible to newcomers in the genre. In a time where metal seems to have hit a stagnant period, The Red Chord are blazing a path to the future and it's a path everyone needs to start down as soon as possible.

GRADE: 7/10
MYSPACE