Electric Red (NI) | ‘Ion’

Changing lineups can really make some bands, and Electric Red are a case in point. Formerly known as Involution, they’ve been off the circuit for a few years, finding a new sound and a new vocalist from within their own ranks. The result is a much more fulsome and mature delivery than before, meaning hopefully that more appreciation can be gained this time round.

Good, heavy and serious alt-rock isnt exactly thick on the ground at the moment. In fact it’s hard to assess whether or not the genre even survived the millennium. Electric Red’s lineage though runs striaght through it, and that much is in evidence from the first song. That track, ‘Isolational’, is the standout cut here - recalling Kerbdog in the new background vocal harmonies that really add a darker depth to the band than previously. It’s their most concise effort too, with some impressive drum fills adding punch.

Although it’s hard, riff based rock, sometimes it lacks a little forward movement - a fact not always helped by odd lurches into different time changes, such as in closer ‘Underside’, whose off-kilter rhythm never truly finds its groove. ‘Saved Time’ though redeems things, showing the Mastodon influence with that layering of shouted and octaved singing vocals that is the Georgian’s hallmark. This track is easily the most driving, with less dawdling around unncessary rhythms than the others.

Tonally it’s brilliant, with everything required of good strong rock. Thundering toms and massive Gibson guitars give it breadth as well as depth. The vocals though could be further forward in the mix. Though it sounds a deliberate decision to keep them slid back slightly, it’s the wrong one. It makes the music more impressionist than the forceful and personal stuff it should (and can) be. If they fix this on the next one, coupled with some genuinely penned words, they’ll be striking.

All this said, it’s still enormously satisfying to hear the sounds of 90s alt-rock/metal played with conviction and authenticty. The band sound superb, play great, and with a little more of a critical ear in the studio or writing could and should be producing venue-levelling material in the future. They’re citing Torche, Baroness and Taint as inspirations - so adopting some of all three’s blunt force attitude could be of lasting value to their music. Less digression, more naked vocal aggression - ’cause the rest is all there.

Ciaran Tracey ::: 14/12/08