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| (via redfang.bandcamp.com) |
Album Review: Red Fang - Whales and Leeches
I first heard Red Fang on Metal Swim, a compilation
album released by the cable network [adult swim] back in 2010, and the song that hooked me was "Hank is Dead." After being stricken with the song, and the attitude the band emanated, I looked them up online, finding that they had already released their self-titled debut album, Red Fang, and that they were but a stone throw away, based out of Portland, Oregon.
Now, while Red Fang is not as hip-moving as Queens of the Stone Age, nor as pop-oriented as Torche, as heavy as Baroness, or as punk-driven as The Melvins, Red Fang still manages to pull together an intimidating musical presence by successfully combining them in an effort to carve their own path through the music industry and their river of beer cans.
In regard to albums one and two, album three is not a departure from Red Fag's musical formula. However, it is a mash up of the strengths from the prior releases. Where Red Fang was more raw in production, Murder the Mountains smoothed that out; Where Murder the Mountains lacked an abundance of catchy songs, Red Fang excelled; Where both albums missed the mark on balance between these qualities, Whales and Leeches consolidated.
The
album's overall strengths lie in production quality and hard-hitting
instrumental and vocal work; however, it does fall short in variety. While
there is nothing wrong with doing what Slayer does—sticking with the tried and true—evolving a sound to encompass more ground helps expand band life expectancy. It's a fine line for a band to try and maintain their known style while experimenting with it. It can quickly lead to fan alienation if done improperly, something that can be noted on Opeth's Heritage release. With Whales and Leeches, Red Fang took the safer path, but remember, this is only their
third release. There is plenty of time for growth, and, with a two-year record cycle trend being followed, we can hope to expect a
continuation of their musical evolution in 2015.
As a fan, Whales and Leeches is good. Dare I say, "amazing!" In truth, I've been listening to it regularly since its release. However, it isn't without one or two underwhelming moments. Some riffs feel recycled and a few choice lyrics feel weak. And "Dawn Rising" just feels out of place with its atmosphere and guest vocalist, Mike Scheidt from YOB. Ultimately, though, I am happy with the music Red Fang has produced. They do know what works. Here's a cliche: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
However, here is a word from critics: “Whales and Leeches … is markedly fine and little else. Predictable and plain,” Grayson Currin, music critic of Pitchfork.com says, “it is the no-threats sort of stoner rock a teenager wouldn't need to hide from suspecting parents....” Currin went on to rate the album a five out of ten. Then, over at RockRevolt magazine, we have writer Rob Ryles hand the album a five out of five—he stressed he'd “give Whales and leeches six skulls (their rating system) if we had that many!” Across the board, there are critics that either love the album completely or those that go “meh.” But, Red Fang must be doing something right to garner such quick success. And its just continuing.
Ultimately, I agree with Ryles whole-heartedly.
Up to this point, Whales and Leeches is the best album from Red Fang to date. I am more than confident that their next release with take that spot. On the band's timeline though, each record holds a special place, and none fall short of the band's standards.
Whales
and Leeches, named as a throwback to a song from their debut album,
was released to a collective "Hell yeah!" by their fans. True
to form and spirit, the album cuts no corners and continues the trend
Red Fang has established through their last two records. Singles “Blood Like Cream” and
“Crows In Swine” exemplify their
pop-sensibilities while not losing the heavy, crushing feeling their
music is known for, thus further distilling their sound.
According
to the band's webpage at Relapse Records, Red Fang was formed by friends and long time collaborators Bryan Giles (guitar, vocals), Aaron Beam (bass guitar, lead vocals), David Sullivan (lead guitar), and John Sherman (drums) in late 2005 and debuted on the Portland rock/metal scene New Year's Eve 2006. After years of playing in other bands,
the guys of Red Fang came together with an affinity for good beer and music—mashing stoner metal, heavy metal,
and classic rock riffs together, lined with punk rock urgency, and began playing local gigs.
Needless to say, the formula worked and blasted them out of the gate and into the arms of Sargent House record label, producing their debut album. That was in 2009. Two years later they moved up the record label chain to Relapse Records and have released their last two albums with them, providing a steady flow of hard-hitting guitar riffs, crunching bass tracks, and blasting percussion regularly. Because Relapse Records produce albums for some of the biggest rock and metal acts today and have the advertisement/promotion power, Red Fang have had enough exposure to capture the #25 slot on the US Top Heatseekers for their sophomore release, Murder the Mountains, and #66 on the US Billboard 200 on their current piece, Whales and Leeches.
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| From left to right: David Sullivan, Bryan Giles, John Sherman, Aaron Beam (via Spin.com) |
Needless to say, the formula worked and blasted them out of the gate and into the arms of Sargent House record label, producing their debut album. That was in 2009. Two years later they moved up the record label chain to Relapse Records and have released their last two albums with them, providing a steady flow of hard-hitting guitar riffs, crunching bass tracks, and blasting percussion regularly. Because Relapse Records produce albums for some of the biggest rock and metal acts today and have the advertisement/promotion power, Red Fang have had enough exposure to capture the #25 slot on the US Top Heatseekers for their sophomore release, Murder the Mountains, and #66 on the US Billboard 200 on their current piece, Whales and Leeches.
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| Red Fang on their "Prehistoric Dogs" music video shoot. (via metalpaths.com) |
In regard to albums one and two, album three is not a departure from Red Fag's musical formula. However, it is a mash up of the strengths from the prior releases. Where Red Fang was more raw in production, Murder the Mountains smoothed that out; Where Murder the Mountains lacked an abundance of catchy songs, Red Fang excelled; Where both albums missed the mark on balance between these qualities, Whales and Leeches consolidated.
Red Fang, I believe as a fan, is an important addition to the re-emergence of rock/metal music culture in the US. With mainstream exposure, like that by Letterman's show, it helps introduce people to this type of music, the musical influences that shaped the sound, and larger, more accessible bands that share the spotlight, such as metal giant, Mastodon.
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| Red Fang opened for Mastodon's "The Hunter" Euro tour in 2011 (via heavyblogisheavy.com) |
While
not the striving for any particular audience other than metal heads, the main demographic for Red
Fang—being metal heads—is males ages 18 to 35, give or take a few years, or a decade, from either end. With that being the case, Red Fang
is not against offensive, yet playful, displays and lyrics. And while not meant to be readily accessible by
everyone, they are in the business of songs that tell a fantasy
story, exampled in Whales and Leeches' “1516” and “Voices of the Dead." Really though, all of their songs are stories, not just the two.
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| Heritage single-handedly split Swedish metal band Opeth's fan-base. (via deathmetal.org) |
As a fan, Whales and Leeches is good. Dare I say, "amazing!" In truth, I've been listening to it regularly since its release. However, it isn't without one or two underwhelming moments. Some riffs feel recycled and a few choice lyrics feel weak. And "Dawn Rising" just feels out of place with its atmosphere and guest vocalist, Mike Scheidt from YOB. Ultimately, though, I am happy with the music Red Fang has produced. They do know what works. Here's a cliche: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
However, here is a word from critics: “Whales and Leeches … is markedly fine and little else. Predictable and plain,” Grayson Currin, music critic of Pitchfork.com says, “it is the no-threats sort of stoner rock a teenager wouldn't need to hide from suspecting parents....” Currin went on to rate the album a five out of ten. Then, over at RockRevolt magazine, we have writer Rob Ryles hand the album a five out of five—he stressed he'd “give Whales and leeches six skulls (their rating system) if we had that many!” Across the board, there are critics that either love the album completely or those that go “meh.” But, Red Fang must be doing something right to garner such quick success. And its just continuing.
Ultimately, I agree with Ryles whole-heartedly.
Up to this point, Whales and Leeches is the best album from Red Fang to date. I am more than confident that their next release with take that spot. On the band's timeline though, each record holds a special place, and none fall short of the band's standards.
Red Fang's 2014 Euro tour poster
(via redfang.net)
In comparison to today's pop music culture,
Red Fang will be lost among the "Katy Perry"s, "Beyonce"s, and who-else-have-you musicians that saturate the current industry. Catchy songs that are made to be catchy and appeal to the lowest
common denominator with a simple beat and hook in the chorus is all you
need nowadays to gain success. However, in their niche audience, Red Fang will continue
to grow. Proof of this is their progression to national television airtime.
Overall, Whales and Leeches is helping make Red Fang a formidable force in the rock/metal scene. With another heavy touring cycle stated and a future album in the works after, It's possible we could be seeing one of the next premier music acts breaking out on the scene. And being that I've never gotten the chance to see a band in concert (I know, right?!), I have hopeful plans to make my first concert experience be of Red Fang, that is, as soon as I can catch a tour date back in Portland, OR—which is coming around March 8th.
P.S. Lastly, here's a recording of a live set they did in Moscow, Russia; Enjoy!
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