RHODE ISLAND RED — Kerosene (review)

RHODE ISLAND RED — Kerosene album cover EP · 2011 · Hard Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Windhawk
This initial three track EP by UK act RHODE ISLAND RED bears testimony of a band with rather sharply honed commercial instincts. This isn't a band that seems to look for any true metal badge to proudly present to a handful of followers. At least musically the material on hand here seems to be made with the charts in mind. Having a female lead vocalist is always a good thing if you plan for success, in particular if she's a talented. And Lyla fits that description rather well I believe.

As far as the music goes, Rhode Island Red comes across as a bastard child sired by late 80's The Cult and early 90's alternative rockers Garbage. Opening effort Kerosene kicks off with dampened verse passages sporting a dark, slightly distorted bass, energetic rhythms and vocals, while just prior to the chorus section massive, compact riffs hits the speakers big time, continuing onwards into the chorus itself which is of the melodic singalong variety. The contrast between the melody, lead vocals and massive guitar sound is a feature the band explore rather well, and in particular on Kerosene the lead on back to the verse with a slightly less massive riff cascade supported by a gentle, light and clean guitar motif is stunning. And most likely familiar sounding to any Garbage fans that encounter it.

Second track Beige is the one I noted down as the most promising item. Not yet realized in my opinion, cutting off some atmospheric laden inserts and an elongated outro would transform this into a killer tune in my amateur, non-expert opinion. Other than that the contrasting elements previously described has been utilized on this song too, and with a real tasty guitar solo detail attached to the chorus which suits it perfectly.

Final effort Stalemate is another good effort, this time around with a gentler, ballad oriented verse followed by an aggressive yet melodic riff dominated chorus with a strong emotional emphasis on vocal delivery. Good stuff.

Those with a taste for metal with a strong commercial sheen and female lead vocals should find plenty to enjoy on this EP. Comparisons towards The Cult have already been mentioned, and if the sound they explored on an album such as "Sonic Temple" is to your liking Rhode Island Red is band I suggest you spend a few minutes investigating.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Theory of Mind Progressive Metal
KIKO LOUREIRO
Buy this album from MMA partners
Morticorigin Deathcore
IRAH NOX
Buy this album from MMA partners
Nothing Lives Here Anymore Mathcore
ORPHAN (PA)
Buy this album from MMA partners
Reflections Of The Soul Metalcore
CRYPTIC REBIRTH
Buy this album from MMA partners
Heaven Let Them Die Metalcore
COUNTERPARTS
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

Orphan - Porcelain (OFFICIAL VISUAL)
ORPHAN (OK)
Bosh66· 1 day ago
Orphan - Vacant (OFFICAL VIDEO)
ORPHAN (OK)
Bosh66· 1 day ago
Orphan - Mag Dump (OFFICIAL VISUAL)
ORPHAN (OK)
Bosh66· 1 day ago
Orphan - Act One: Calluses / Dying Light (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
ORPHAN (OK)
Bosh66· 1 day ago
ORPHAN - Revenant (Visualizer)
ORPHAN (PA)
Bosh66· 1 day ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed