Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
The evolution of Kris Barras continues and with Monsters We Made the heavier beats of previous album “Halo Effect” follow suit but with tinges of emotion that impact hard and of course it is an album full to brimming with outstanding guitar work.
The opener is the title track and it has a sense of urgency from the off. Kris feels the chorus is the best he has written and you would be a fool to argue with him (especially with his MMA past).
This has those huge Black Stone Cherry riffs, that singalong vibe and the guitar solos are incredible.
Next up is “Beautiful Lie” and this is an off kilter industrial number that breaks down into an 80s synth pop vibe with some awesome slap bass. The song climbs, soars and burrows its way into your brain and stays there.
“Riot of One” jumps right into the mosh pit. Kris has a fervent guitar blaze and his vocals almost scream forth. There are images of past songs hidden inside which gives it a familiar feel but this is a song that is looking for a fight and it can back up its own bravado.
Everything is peeled back on “Unspoken”, we have an acoustic opening with Kris singing with so much emotion in his voice you can feel it. The chorus oozes power and again the solo work is exceptional.
The first thing I thought when I heard “All Falls Down” was Stone Broken. A band that I love and miss but this slots right into my wheelhouse with its riffs, heavy backbone and power. A complete monster.
The industrial riff opening on “Alive” slips into a punk/ Grunge collision that really should not work but this was a track I kept going back too.
“Otherside” changes everything. The heavy beats are gone, the emotion is back in force and this is Kris like we have never heard before. This is power methodical rock at its very best. You can tell this is a song that is very personal and that makes the song shine.
It is all change again on “Fake” we go down to the deep south before flitting over Indian bazaars. Trying to tie this song down is difficult but the one thing you can hang your hat on is it is outstanding. It is incredible to think this far into his career Kris is still experimenting, still evolving and still pumping out bangers.
We slip back into the heavy riffs on “Rewind” and pick your favourite Grunge bands and something is intertwined here. The Seattle is dripping from the speakers and I could lay a bet Kris had a chequered shirt on when he recorded this.
Back in the 80s bands wanted 2 things, a ballad that sold the world over and two, a song that was catchy as hell, a track that you would revisit often, have blaring in your car and have you running to your mates to make sure they heard it…that latter one is found in “Rewind”. This song has everything you could ever want and ticks every box.
“End of Me” slips into that emotional wheelhouse again. Tinges of Bryan Adams are evident as it slips from ballad to heavenly chorus that is packed with feeling and power.
We go out with a bang on “Levitate”. A song that builds the fury, the speed and the feel good factor. I can see Kris and the band kick ass on stage with this one. “Monsters We Made” is Kris on his journey and we should feel privileged to be along for the ride. No matter what this man turns his hands to he succeeds and this album will be no different. Old fans will love it, new fans will flock to it and it could very well beat the number five spot that Halo Effect got in the UK national charts.
Follow Kris Barras Band online:
Official site: https://www.krisbarrasband.com
YouTube: @KrisBarrasBand
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/241MO…
Facebook: / krisbarrasband
Instagram: / krisbarrasband
Twitter/X: / krisbarrasband
TikTok: / krisbarrasband
Pre-order “Monsters We Made” HERE.
