RED | Declaration | Album Review

Red has been one of the flagship names in Christian rock since their inception in the mid 2000's. After years of making and releasing music with a major label, the band decided not to renew their contract or sign with a different label, leading them to take the independent route with their seventh album "Declaration". Most bands who leave their label to distribute their music on their own have the freedom to do whatever they want, and this is the main theme that this album reflects. Previous albums from Red have contained their own themes, so it's not surprising that "Declaration" is meant to be looked at in a different light than the other albums. The major difference is that while Red has utilized themes such as struggle and self-reflection in the past, this time it is made crystal clear and upfront that this is what the ten songs on "Declaration" are mainly based on, in addition to being the rawest display of Red's signature style imaginable. In an interview with Loudwire, guitarist and co-producer Anthony Armstrong stated "I think it was more personal this time because we didn't have a label breathing down our neck. It was just the culmination of everything we've learned during the last 15 years of touring. All the things that we've done, we just really poured it all into this record". Red has always delivered to their fans and are passionate about the music they create, which is also evident in the fact that they moved the release date up a week for fans who are stuck at home during the current COVID-19 outbreak when some bands are postpoining and pushing back their music. All of this proves how level-headed the men in Red are and why they have the fanbase they do.

Five singles were released to promote "Declaration", but I only heard three of them before I listened to the entire album. The songs are "The Evening Hate", "From The Ashes", and "Sever". The first two were released before there was actually any evidence of a new album being release, while "Sever" was released about a week after the album was set in stone. These three singles are good at showcasing what Red is all about and fit well with the sound that fans love the band for. "The Evening Hate" features a very unique miliaristic theme throughout its runtime, which makes it a standout on this album along with featuring solid guitar riffs and orchestral elements. "From The Ashes" has those same qualities going for it and is a good album closer, although it isn't nearly as impactful as "The Evening Hate". "Sever" was the third single, and in my opinion, this is one of the best songs Red has ever done. Co-written with Keith Wallen of Breaking Benjamin, this song definitely gives off the vibe of Red doing something that isn't far off from their safe haven but executes it in a different fashion that sets it apart as one of the better offerings on this 10-track album. There is a prominent radio rock style here that goes over very well with Mike Barnes' vocals and the typical elements that Red has used before. It's effective, and the lyrics on this song are well delivered. This is a direction I'd love to see Red continue on with in the future because it still works for them just as well as it did in the early portion of their career.

One thing that I was concerned about before the album's release was how these songs would tie together, since this album was partially made to please fans who were wondering if a new album was in the works. This was also after Red stated that they were unsure if they'd ever make another album again after their previous outing "Gone". Unfortunately, there isn't as much of a narrative that connects the ten tracks together, instead feeling like a collection of tracks that Red recorded over the past year in one package. But, that doesn't hurt the album in any way. Red albums just work best when the songs connect seamlessly, good examples of that being in "Innocence And Instinct" and "Of Beauty And Rage". However, there are certainly high points that show Red at their top form. The opening two tracks "All For You" and "Infidel" carry that raw aggression that stemmed from the band's frustration with the label telling them what to do. "The War We Made" is probably the most melodic song on "Declaration", and it is certainly easier to digest than the other songs. And then, there is "Cauterize", which ranks along with "Sever" as being one of the album's highlights. This song does a stellar job at going from aggressive to light and there is a unique vocal direction that Mike Barnes sells flawlessly especially in each of the verses. It is borderline grunge in some areas, especially in the first verse. You can easily tell that the band put genuine effort into this song along with many of the other cuts, and the new drummer Dan Johnson definitely carries these tracks as well, especially on highlighted tracks like "Cauterize", "All For You", and "Sever".

Unfortunately, though, there are some downsides. The track "Float" is an odd track that shows off Mike Barnes' range when it comes to screamed vocals, but as a song it just doesn't work. It feels like they were going heavy just for the sake of doing so, and it doesn't leave as big of an impact. "Only Fight" may be the worst song that Red has ever done in my opinion. Lyrically, it's repetitive, and Mike Barnes' high screaming range does not work for me here. And these vocals are the predominant feature on "Only Fight", with the production pushing them to the forefront, and that's a problem. Also, "The Victim" ends spontaneously without much of a climax even though the song itself is good. However, these flaws don't signify that this album doesn't deliver when it can, because for every weaker moment, there are two great moments that make up for it. Red are now at a point in their career where their legacy is secure and their best music has been put behind them, but "Declaration" is still a showcase that the switch to independent status did not tamper this band's creative ability. It's probably one of their weaker albums in my opinion, but the term "weak" does not always mean "bad", and I think there is a lot on this album that fans will be very appreciative of. Overall, "Declaration" is certainly a downgrade from the previous Red albums but only by a small margin. It is a venture into Red's typical orchestra-meets-hard rock style with some interesting tricks of the trade thrown in for good measure, and while a couple of tracks don't deliver, the rest of the material found on Red's latest album is declared worthy of being listened to.

RATING: 8/10

Leave your thoughts about this album in the comments section below. Was this album good or bad? Was it a surprise or a disappointment? All you have to do is type it in. Everybody's opinions matter even if they are different than mine. Please feel free to enjoy my content on the Scamp4553 Deviantart account as well, including other lists, reviews, and other series. Also, if you'd like to get a glimpse at all of the insanity that goes on outside of this site, check me out as Scamp4553 on Instagram and as SimbaKoda444 on YouTube. And of course, more content is coming your way soon. Take care.