Flood Of Red - Leaving Everything Behind Album Review

Review of Flood Of Red's album Leaving Everything Behind

The members of Scottish six-piece Flood Of Red may only be young at 21 years of age, but with hundreds of shows under their belt they've already a wealth of experience in the music industry. Amongst those gigs have been support slots with Madina Lake and Enter Shikari, while an appearance at Download Festival is also on their CV.

'Leaving Everything Behind' opens with a slow-burning prelude track which is immediately endearing, but the record then comes to life a frenetic anthem in the shape of 'The Harmony'. With a style that has recently been brought to the mainstream by Biffy Clyro, it features some great guitar work which is repeated in the likes of 'A Place Before The End' and the emo-punk of 'Paper Lungs'. Mixed with these rockers are slower efforts that utilise the dynamics of a grunge style, such as 'I Will Not Change' which has a predicable arrangement and the much more impressive 'Like Elephants'. It's four and a half minute duration incorporates a symphony of chiming guitars, crunching chords and a piano finale that stands out as a moment of great quality on the record and indicates the outfit could produce something really special. The remainder of the record is fine as individual tracks, but as an album the lack of variety within the two styles makes a through-listening a touch turgid toward the tail end.

Alex Lai