The
fight Needs Us All – Tracklisting
1.Come
on Down 03:58
2.To
My Queen 03:48
3.Ode
to Green 05:47
4.Reverend
06:21
5.The
Warming 04:26
6.Reign
of Ignorance 04:38
7.Tell
Me the Future of Existence 05:20
8.The
Fight Needs Us All
Members
Aaron
Wall Vocals/ Guitar
George
Trujillo Drums
Review
Red
Beard Wall return with their new album – The Fight Needs Us All –
and it’s good to see the band remaining with Argonauta Records for
this release. Coming two years after their celebrated debut album,
this album sees Red Beard Wall return with an even heavier sound
compared to their debut album. The musical influences of Torche,
Floor, High On Fire, Sleep and Mastodon can still be felt within the
DNA of this album and that is no bad thing in my book.
Red
Beard Wall have still created a highly original and violently angry
album that offers a few wicked poppier sounds along the way.
Opening
song – Come On Down – is a distorted Sludge/Fuzz driven song with
excellent dual vocals showcasing the light and dark moments of the
album. I don’t know if Aaron handled all vocal duties on this album
or if George did as well. If Aaron did handle all vocal duties then
he puts in a powerhouse performance on this song and the entire
album. Though it’s the music that’s the main draw here with Red
Beard Wall playing a mixture of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal sounds
that will have fans of the genre nodding in agreement.
Second
song – To My Queen – is a heavier and more sinister offering with
a few Doom-Pop sounds that Torche and Floor are known for being added
for great effect. The lo-fi sound of the album gives Red Beard Wall a
more threatening presence but the music is always constantly engaging
and never outstays its welcome. The vocals and lyrics once again do
their job and allows the band to create another outstanding song.
Third
song - Ode To Green – sees the band open with a poppier sound but
you know with this being Red Beard Wall that a heavy distorted riff
and Aaron’s demonic vocals are never too far away. Though it’s
good to see the band staying with the Doom-Pop sound with heavy and
angry outbursts of Sludge/Stoner Metal holding everything together.
Fourth
song – Reverend – offers a darker alternative to the opening
three songs as the mood is more reflective and gloomy. The song is
quite slow-paced at first with intelligent drumming by George leading
the way. The sludgy guitars from Aaron keeps everything grounded and
at a subtle pace. This is a purely instrumental song and it’s good
to see Red Beard Wall slow things right down and play a more
laid-back song.
I’ve
been told off in the past for giving too much away when reviewing
albums. So with that in mind I’m going to say the second half of
the album carries on the same style of music as the first half.
Though the music becomes way heavier and sees Red Beard Wall creating
some of the albums standout songs with songs such as: The Warning,
Tell Me The Future Of Existence and The Fight Needs Us All.
If
you’re new to the world of Red Beard Wall and want to hear
something different to your usual Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal bands then
I recommend you check this band out now. As Red Beard Wall have the
potential to be you’re new favourite band.
The
Fight Needs Us All is a fantastic sounding album and that’s down to
the excellent production that’s been given to this album. The
atmosphere is quite raw at times but that’s Red Beard Wall’s
overall style and it works brilliantly well for the band. I had high
hopes for The Fight Needs Us All and I’m happy to state that this
album has exceeded all expectations. As this album is a contender for
one of the best albums of the year.
Overall,
The Fight Needs Us All is a must-have and unmissable album.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Red Beard Wall and Mona at All Noir PR for the promo. The Fight
Needs Us All is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl now via ArgonautaRecords.
