REVIEW: The Red Chord-Fed Through The Teeth Machine

Artist: The Red Chord
Album: Fed Through The Teeth Machine
Label: Metalblade
Website: http://www.myspace.com/theredchord

The Red Chord is part of a long legacy of great bands to rise to prominence out of Massachusetts. In the early 2000’s bands like Killswitch Engage, Unearth and Shadows Fall led an vibrant and creative metal, thrash and hardcore scene within the Commonwealth. The Red Chord made their mark in the hardcore arena to begin, but have since evolved into a bruising death metal band with melodic interludes and all business! Or should I say, they are all bloodshed?

At first blush, “Fed Through The Teeth Machine” could come across as another death metal band pumping out blast beats and _E2J0044 layering in vicious vocals. But after several listens I have started to appreciate the envelope they are pushing. For example, 3/4^thsof the way through “Demoralizer” they give the listener an evil melody that fits in perfectly and reminds me a bit of All That Remains with a powerful death metal flare. During “Hymns And Crippled Anthems” there is a dirge where the band slows down the gunfire fest in favor of twinkling string work that slides in nicely. It is a welcomed interlude from the smash mouth, pile driving the listener is assaulted with during 95% of the record.

Let’s be honest, Death Metal is an acquired taste. I like Dying Fetus and Napalm Death, but what is really needed is a band with a big set of nards to push the sounds envelope while keeping it death. The Red Chord has introduced just enough dynamic elements keep it interesting and different, yet appeases the hardcore listeners. “Fed Through The Teeth Machine” is a 2009 Death Metal album. I tend to think they feel like the past is the past, so why not look to the future. I like what I am hearing if the future is in fact- now!

Rating: 8 out of 10, warfare, gore and melody?
Suggested Tracks: “Demoralizer”, “Ingest The Ash”, “One Robot To Another”

Track Listing:

01. Demoralizer
02. Hour Of Rats
03. Hymns And Crippled Anthems
04. Embarrassment Legacy
05. Tales Of Martyrs And Disappearing Acts
06. Floating Through The Vein
07. Ingest The Ash
08. One Robot To Another
09. Mouthful Of Precious Stones
10. The Ugliest Truth
11. Face Area Solution
12. Sleepless Nights In The Compound