Album Review: Redeemon by Redeemon

The age old argument of how many tracks makes an album or it’s too long to be an EP is sure to rear its debatably ugly head in December when folk start compiling their end of year lists and have to work out which the self-titled debut from Redeemon is. It’s only five tracks but it is almost thirty minutes long. I’d argue that it’s an album but I’m sure someone will tell me I’m wrong. What we won’t disagree on is that it’s a really bloody good collection of songs from the band.

If you’re unaware of Redeemon, they are the new band forming out of the ashes of former UK skacore favourites Beat The Red Light. Featuring members of BTRL, Smokey Bastard, Junction Of Tiger Street and Voodoo Glow Skulls (recording only), the band are set to finally release their debut on Pookout Records in the Spring. Because Pook is a mega babe, he sent me an early copy for review. Such a babe, have you seen the man’s hair, it’s glorious… anyway, reviewing the skacore time.

We open things up with Operation Burnout. The track starts out with some slow drums before the brass and some guitar begin to build the song up. It also sounds as if there is some violin involved in this introduction. The feeling of anticipation grows massively and by the time we get to a saxophone screech and Pook’s vocals come in, you’re ready to get on this rollercoaster ride. BTRL were known for the heavier vocal growls but they’re not here. Instead we get the more melodic side of Pook. The song switches between theatrical alternative and upbeat ska in a way that you can only imagine these guys attempting. This is followed up by Pressure Switch. After another epic opening – a theme with all Redeemon songs – Pressure Switch shows off the heavier side of Redeemon. Pook’s deathly growls sound as good as ever and the guitars in the first third of the song totally shred. Soon the song switches back to the more melodic style that we heard in the opener. The song switches styles effortlessly and it never feels forced and manages to flow nicely. This is a real testament to the time the band spent crafting these songs. Even towards the song’s final minute, when the band get really quiet and atmospheric, it sounds perfectly placed and the build back up is just wonderful.

Redeemon originally released Anaphylactic as a single to give people a tease of what to expect from the band in the future. It feels like ages ago that it came out and I’m glad to see it make an appearance here. It was the perfect choice for a single as it encapsulates everything Redeemon do so well. Starting with some big brass and some shredding guitars, duelling with one another before coming together as one, until the tempo switches and we get this upbeat horn line that will get even the biggest metalheads having a skank. That horn line is one of my favourites I’ve heard in a long time and it fills the song with some great energy. The penultimate song on the album is titled Finest Mistakes. The band’s metal influences come out in full on this one. It’s one to really get your moshing boots on for and I wish I had a head of hair like Pook to have a proper headbang with. Once again, the guitars and brass sync up perfectly in ways that you don’t often hear. The creativity on display is something you’ve just got to hear to believe. Last but certainly not least is Escapade. I always say that the last track on an album needs to feel epic. I did wonder how Redeemon would pull this off as every other track already has an epic sound. Is it possible to go bigger than epic? Redeemon somehow managed to accomplish this by bringing in an acoustic guitar to start the song. This softer, more vulnerable side of the band came as quite the shock. It’s not long before the band plug back in and some electric guitars and brass begin to accompany the acoustic guitar and the song continues its long build. Pook’s vocals come in and I can’t help but think of Seal’s Kiss From A Rose. It’s a big hook and has plenty of emotion behind it. We reach the halfway point of the song and it’s time for Redeemon to get all Redeemon again with some fast paced upstrokes. This is a song that really showcases what incredible musicians everyone in Redeemon is and it is a very fitting way to finish things off.

You will not listen to a more creative, experimental (in a good way), musically proficient release this year. When I make that claim I’m talking about all genres of music as well; not just punk and ska. This album has been a long time coming but my goodess it’s been worth the wait.

Preorder Redeemon from Pookout Records here (and check out their distro for all your ska punk needs).

You can listen to Anaphylactic on Bandcamp here in the meantime and like Redeemon on Facebook here.

This review was written by Colin Clark.