Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Nashville-based heavy rockers Red's sixth studio album is definitely a return to form for the band following the polarised reviews of their previous two albums. It is already showing high in the US Christian charts and, surprise surprise, the UK ones too. As inventive as ever, the band and longstanding producer Rob Graves throw everything including the kitchen sink at the album to offer up a soundscape that is both raucously heavy and symphonic whilst occasional electronic elements pepper the intense hard rock proceedings to offer up a multi-faceted piece of work. Singer Michael Barnes is at the top of his game vocally as he swings between fragile, melodic singing and full on screaming which all helps to set the backdrop to a collection of songs that, according to the accompanying press release, tackle darker themes and human struggles. Self-explanatory tracks like "Coming Apart" and "Fracture" help the album achieve its overall goal and, whilst this is a satisfyingly intense listen that deals with Ecclesiastes-like questions that need to be asked, perhaps juxtaposing the misery with a more obvious focus on the hope God brings would help offer up a little light to the listener. That aside, this is a stunning creation that never fails to thrill and surprise with the simply sublime "Losing Control" - nothing short of a masterpiece on account of its ability to blend orchestral, metal and electronica elements - being one of many highlights.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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