Vendetta Red – Sisters of the Red Death

Vendetta Red
Artist: Vendetta Red
Title: Sisters of the Red Death
Label: Epic
Rating: 7.5/10

CORPORATE LINE: The Sisters of the Red Death is the underlying story and provides a cohesive framework for the album. However, from the album’s first delay-drenched guitar line to Davidson’s final blood-curdling scream, listeners not familiar with Sisters’ historical relevance will simply hear twelve monstrous tracks filled with manic energy, bellowing choirs, gigantic guitars, jaw-dropping drum fills and even the occasional dose of old-school hardcore aggression.

Sisters is also incredibly diverse. The thrashy “Banshee” and “Joyless Euphoria” should satisfy fans of the VR’s earlier, heavier material, while tracks such as “Dark Heart Silhouette” and the first single “Silhouette Serenade” share a symphonic pop sensibility, akin to The Cure or Smashing Pumpkins at their most grandiose. Then there’s the neo-psychedelic freak-out, “Brides,” which features the prominent use of the Theremin, an electronic instrument made famous on the Beach Boys’ 1966 hit, “Good Vibrations.” ([“Brides” is] the best song I’ve ever been privileged to play on,” Davidson gushes.)

THE GREAT:
“Vendetta Red Cried Rape On Their Date With Destiny” – A heck of a long title for a song. Grows on you–at first you must figure out the song but after a few listens you fall right into it.
“Silhoutte Serenade” – Gorgeous. What an epic should sound like.
“The Banshee Ballet” – I have no idea what the song is about—but it’s good. It’s definitely a song you can listen to over and over again.
“Gloria” – Some of the lyrics are questionable, but the hook is undeniable.

THE AVERAGE:
“The Body And The Blood” – The screeching isn’t nearly as pleasing in comparison to when Zach Davidson actual sings.
“The Great Castration” – Even if there is a bigger picture here you can’t help but think of all the corny heavy metal songs from the ‘80s.

THE BAD:
Nothing—although “The Great Castration” comes extremely close.

FRANKLY: Vendetta Red has grown since their last album. Sisters of the Red Death have some of the most obscure song titles you’ll ever find—it’s a surprise just how good they are. Vendetta Red goes for the epic on more than one occasion and pulls it off—effortlessly. “To the sound of severed hands clapping” – yes the lyrics are often bizarre but they can be overlooked when the songs sound so good.

+ Rae Gun


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