Monday 25 February 2019

Red Beard Wall - The Fight Needs Us All (Album Review)


Release date: February 22nd 2019. Label: Argonauta Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

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.

Links:

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