Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
If you are a frequenter of the Glasgow(Or Scottish) Rock and Metal scene you will be aware of She Burns Red, well you cannot forget the kilted, face painted persona of frontman Andy Moore.
If you saw them way back you will remember the rough and ready first carnation. Very rough around the edges but there was definitely something there.
The band had their share of problems, especially medically but I remember seeing them after lockdown and thinking what the hell have they been doing as this feels like a totally different band and that impressive move forward is ramped up with the release of their debut album and this is the cracks of possibility we first saw being smashed to smithereens and culminating in a cracking slice of Rock.
The album title tells so many stories on its own, that shitshow of a time period due to the C word, the stepping out from serious illness for two members, the band stepping onto the big stage and the hope that is weaved within all of the songs.
The album opens with sheer power and a killer riff on the track “Touch”. The song is based on the relationship you have with yourself and how it is not always positive. This album has a lot of emphasis on relationships and to be honest you cant cope with any if you cannot get past the one with yourself.
This is a great opener with a brilliant solo in the middle and it really sets the bar which “Rise and Fall” is happy to take on and push the limits further.
This is a powerful track which focuses on the albums name and getting past the issues of the Covid timeline. Written as they finally got back together and it has a frantic, don’t stop or you will die feeling with excellent drumming from former Anchor Lane sticksman Scott Hanlon. It has a feel of Thin Lizzy souped up and living on adrenaline for weeks.
We get a brutal opening for “Killing Time” before it slows down to focus on harmonies and possibly the best I have heard James vocals. Just like its lyrical content based on wasting away your life it is constantly changing like a mind not being able to pick a direction and we get some class bass lines from James Mcculloch. This is a real open road mustang driving son of a bitch.
On “Crosshairs” I can’t get the Lizzy picture out of my mind. It could be the Phil Lynott/ Gary Moore vocals, the catchy as shit radio friendly number or just the downright feelgood factor that the track leaves you with. This is a very strong song.
A totally different feel on “Heavy is the Head” with its metronomic guitar riff and anarchic message this has a whole heap of The Almighty in it, another beloved Glasgow band and if you ask me She Burns Red are a perfect fit for the support slot on that bands returning hometown show later this year.
Big changes on “Run”. This goes for an indie vibe whilst keeping its rock backbone. It is not quite a ballad but it dabbles around the edges and this gives us a chance to take in the musicianship of the boys and they rise to the occasion.
“Stronger” is the cry for help, the shoulder to lean on and the circle of friends and family we all need. We all struggle, we all need help sometimes and this number portrays just how important we are as support or as an individual. Nobody is not wanted and Naz let go of a lot of frustration on that guitar. The breakdown gets you in the feels and I loved it as the layered vocals came in as if everyone was screaming we are here for you.
Is it the 90s? Is Punk back again? The opening of “Crack the Sky” had all those pop punk bands going through my head as this one had those shouted vocals, the toe tapping melody and flick guitars and like those songs this one stays with you for a long time after the track is done which is the mark of a very good piece of songwriting.
It kicks of with the lyrics “I sold my sold my soul too many times” and as much as we have focused on coming out of the depths you can give away too much of yourself sometimes. You need a balance and you cannot help if there is nothing left inside of you and this is portrayed beautifully in this beast.
The title track kind of follows on from the previous as you sometimes need to say enough is enough and if the album focuses on relationships some will always fail and the dark message is dealt with on here with both darkness and light. The brutality of the wall of sound is mixed with the soaring of a guitar that lifts you away from all the pain.
She Burns Red have arrived with “Out of Darkness”. They have matured in an incredibly short timeframe and musically this is a very powerful chunk of melodic metal. You only have one debut album in a band and you could not ask any more from the boys.
This is the first step on what will be a long path, one that is heading upwards and one that will have people turning their heads a lot. The journey that started in 2020 with EP “Take Back Tomorrow” is well and truly underway with this album giving them a huge momentum push in the right direction
Album Tracklist:
1. Touch
2. Rise and Fall
3. Killing Time
4. Crosshairs
5. Heavy is the Head
6. Run
7. Stronger
8. Crack the Sky
9. Out of Darkness
Tour Dates:
27 Aug – Rockwich
9th Sept – GLASGOW, Audio (album launch show)
15 Sept – WOLVERHAMPTON, Giffard Arms
30 Sept – EDINBURGH, Rockin for Tots Festival
21 Oct – SWANSEA, Station 18 Festival
10 Nov – GRIMSBY, Rockmantic
09 Feb – CARLISLE, Rockmantic (headline slot)
May 2024 – LINCOLNSHIRE SHOWGROUND, Call Of The Wild Festival
She Burns Red is:
Andy Moore – Vocals/Guitar
James McCulloch – Vocals/Bass Guitar
Naz Scanferlato – Guitar
Scott Hanlon – Drums
Connect with She Burns Red:
. Official Website: http://sheburnsred.com/
. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheburnsred
. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheburnsredband
. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5axwjwMP8gsMNEOvzbE6DP
. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sheburnsredband
. Twitter: https://twitter.com/sheburnsredband
