REDRUM – Victims Of Our Circumstances (2013)
the Real One – no cuts
*
Greek Melodic Hard Rock band based in Thessaloniki, Greece, released their quite good debut in 2007 with German Michael Bormann (ex- Jaded Heart) at the mic, and since then disappeared from the map.
But last year there were news about a brand new album in the making that finally now sees the light of day under the title “Victims Of Our Circumstances”, again with Bormann handling the lead vocals.
The first thing I noticed in this new CD is a much more polished sound than the debut and a radio-friendly approach on many tracks. Even better, another positive ingredient is Redrum’s improvement in their songwriting skills resulting in the craft of catchy hooks and contagious choruses.
Bormann vocals are an ‘ace’ again; passionate yet powerful, velvet still colourful, and his bluesy touch fit these songs like a glove. He has also produced and mixed the whole thing.
The music itself has expressive guitar licks & riffs with melodic solos and well-arranged bridges, while the dynamic rhythm section adds energy and feel. The keyboards are sweet and offer the background needed for the songs to expose the key harmonies.
Intro “One Of Us” invites you with a “So you wanna be one of us?…you gotta scream…” before the album kicks off with the amazing rocker “Scream”, a thick, dual bluesy hard rock guitar-oriented track featuring a classic hook and a catchy as hell chorus line.
Next arrives the highlight for me; the melodic rock / AOR waves of “You Can’t Buy No Hero” resonates with a commercial sheen, with the keyboard notes from Marco Grasshoff giving the arrangement an obvious Autograph meets Bon Jovi element. Bormann easily captures the love story lyrics and employs a number of panning harmonies to allure the listener with a fuller, arena-oriented sound.
“Dust In Your Eyes” recalls the band’s debut, showing Redrum successfully blending hard rock, blues and symphonic elements in a compelling arrangement. “Empty Promises” is simply an awesome midtempo where shades of Gotthard can be heard, while vocally Jaded Heart’s IV spring to mind.
“Pokerface” features some very good guitar work, followed by the Whitesnake-esque “Dirty White Boy”, an ok rocker.
“Mother I’m Coming Home” is an emotional ’80s power ballad with Bormann’s superb performances all over, at the synth / acoustic guitar start, and then when the song gets more musculature. Great one.
Uptempo returns with “Tear Down The Walls”, the album’s heaviest track with strong in-your-face guitars and epic keys, solid and rich in melody.
You get another small taste of bluesy melodic rock with “Have A Nice Day” and the smouldering title track “Victims Of Our Circumstances” in the vein of modern day Burning Rain.
For the end we have a killer melodic hard rendition of the John Farnham popularized hit “You’re The Voice”, very dynamic, emotional and keeping with the spirit of the original though in more rockin’ way.
I hope Redrum’s return “Victims Of Our Circumstances” get the proper promotion, as I assure you this will be one of the best Melodic Hard Rock albums of the year.
I mean, this isn’t a song-by-numbers release; the music is hardrockin’ but it’s elaborated and well-perfumed in order to please the fan that wants his Melodic Hard Rock music being kinda mature.
Clever arrangements, tight musicianship, a great vocalist and good production wraps an album that gets better and better with each listen.
Very Recommended.
01 – One Of Us
02 – Scream
03 – You Can’t Buy No Hero
04 – Dust In Your Eyes
05 – Empty Promises
06 – Pokerface
07 – Dirty White Boy
08 – Mother I’m Coming Home
09 – Tear Down The Walls
10 – Have A Nice Day
11 – Victims of Our Circumstances
12 – You’re The Voice
Michael Bormann – Vocals
Athan LyssaKazakis – Guitar
Panos Baxevanis – Guitar
Marco Grasshoff – Keyboards
Alex Kidd – Bass
Thanos Sarketzis – Drums
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