Red Dead Roadkill - Sweet Songs of Anguish

Red Dead Roadkill

Sweet Songs of Anguish

by Mike "Bitchin" Bourgeois at 13 August 2019, 9:43 PM

I'm torn on Hamburg's RED DEAD ROADKIL's "Sweet Songs of Anguish". Technically there's very little wrong, great sound, very competent musician ship, even strange time signatures well performed. "Hail to the King" is in 7/8 for the most part. I grooved on the opening "Unleash the Beast" and thought if it continued in this vein it would be a pleasant experience, and for the most part it was. Heavy and driving with Crash taking the reins on direction with his excellent drum work, the rest of the band were allowed more freedom to try things like the opening to "Lines of Fire". A good rhythm section will always make a band better.

It wasn't till "Cold" that I started to get what was niggling at the back of my brain. It was Sazzy O.'s shining moment to show her understanding of writing a great bassline, but after a number of songs I started to become less enamored with RAADD's vocal style. It sounded nasally and forced, almost to the point of being annoying after listening to it for a while. Just not my preferred style.

"Good Night" was where we first really hear guitarist Bob Lee sing up front, and I like his growl. It matches well with the well recorded and tight guitar sound of both him and Dean Harper. "Somewhere, Mr. Fate" could be replaced with almost any power ballad and I don't think anyone would notice in passing. To all you Metal bands, the 80's are over. Stop it! Especially if you write music like the following "Pretty in Silence"

Can you pick out former HELLOWEEN guitarist Roland Grapow's parts on "Dying Day"? I could, and kudos for landing that featuring part. "Under Water" was a better attempt at a power ballad, actually bordering on original. It was a good closer for an album I still am trying to decide if I really liked it.

Overall the music was good, if not great, but I was not a fan of RAADD. Turns out she's been replaced by Redness since recording this album. Could this be the replacement they needed to plug that one hole that was sinking this enterprise? I know I'm curious as hell to find out.

Songwriting:               8
Originality:                  7
Memorability:              7
Production:                 8