AlbumsNovember 29, 201116,693 views

The Red Chord Prey For Eyes


01. Film Critiques & Militia Men 02. Dread Prevailed 03. It Runs in the Family 04. Send the Death Storm 05. Pray for Eyes 06. Responsibles 07. Midas Touch 08. Tread on the Necks of Kings 09. It Came from over There 10. Intelligence Has Been Compromised 11. Open Eyed Beast Attack 12. Birdbath 13. Bone Needle 14. Seminar
2007 Metal Blade Records
Our score 8

by Nick
7/22/2007

As arguably the biggest players in today's metal/hardcore/grind fusion sound, it's no secret that the Red Chord faced some lofty expectations for the release of their third full-length, Prey For Eyes. 2002's influential Fused Together in Revolving Doors has proven to be a genre classic of sorts and the slightly disappointing nature of 2005's Clients only increased the pressure on these New England guys' shoulders. So with all that riding on this release, how'd they do Pretty damn well, in fact. Prey For Eyes might just be the summer blockbuster of big metal records for 2007 as it combines their unmistakable blend of extreme music styles with a few subtle differences to ensure it will stand apart from their previous efforts. Prey For Eyes is a slight step back from both the deathy grind lean of Fused. and the more metalcore oriented sound of Clients. But don't be misled by the previous statement. Prey For Eyes is still packed with an abundance of death and grind influenced instrumentation at breakneck speeds and they definitely don't shy away from their breakdowns, but these elements have been toned down ever so slightly to make room for the injection of rock-styled elements throughout the disc. Parts like the soaring solo in "Dread Prevailed," and the "groovy" bass work in a passage of "Open Eyed Beast Attack" are just two of the many examples of the Red Chord's ability to throw yet another style into their already bursting list of influences. Prey For Eyes is also an improvement upon Clients in that the slower sections of tracks are far more memorable and engaging. The fluid transition in "Pray for Eyes" from intense death metal into a tom-heavy and bass driven mini-epic passes almost undetected and even the slightly repetitive riffing at the track's close doesn't feel the least bit tired or drawn out. And in what appears to be true Red Chord fashion, the disc is closed with the lengthy, slower number, "Seminar," a track that doesn't succumb to the same boring fate as Client's "He Was Dead When I Got There." Prey For Eyes also features the promising instrumental track "It Came from over There," complete with a nice display of meandering guitar work. But the song also packs a synth presence that is both overly prominent and relatively out of place. Perhaps the only major blunder of the disc, that one synth line weighs down what could have otherwise been yet another fantastic track on the album. But alas, I'm sure that many a synth fan will find it to be completely the opposite, so feel free to draw your own conclusions. Bottom Line: This is yet another great record from the Red Chord and by being slightly less intense on the death/grind side and refraining from an over-indulgence of metalcore tendencies there is a little more room for a few subtle rock influences that sets it apart from their last two albums. Prey For Eyes has allowed the Red Chord to reposition themselves atop the genre that they've spent the last several years bringing into the metal and hardcore limelight. The seemingly endless supply of imitation bands that they've spawned should take note: this is how it's done.

47 comments

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FudgeYourYankeeBlueJeans_ 7/22/2007 1:45:55 PM

im just filling this spot so there will be no first post. and this band hasnt mattered in 5 years

anonymous 7/22/2007 2:05:08 PM

^^^^typical goater comment

FuckYourYankeeBlueJeans_ 7/22/2007 2:57:33 PM

why? Fused was terrific. Clients wasnt. it had some good songs but nothing to write home about. i gave this a listen or 2 and that was all i needed to hear to know that this bands best days are long behind them

anonymous 7/22/2007 3:27:05 PM

Fudge has too much ICP and badly produced grind to listen to, he doesn't have time for this

comp_ 7/22/2007 3:28:46 PM

To sum up Prey for eyes is nothing special, and The Red Chord is definitely a vry-very overrated band.

Dyami_LIAV_ 7/22/2007 4:13:34 PM

I still haev respect. Will be eagerly purchasing this week.

surfjam_ 7/22/2007 5:33:41 PM

will download soon

Brian_ 7/22/2007 6:37:16 PM

Fair review. The synth is refreshing in that TRC is reaching outside their normal toolbox, though still using the new tools in a very TRC kind of way. I definitely do not think it was overly prominent. "they haven't mattered for 5 years" sounds like something Paris Hilton would say. trendy metalheads are no better than trendy hollywood c*nts.

the centaur_ 7/22/2007 7:57:40 PM

*anxiously awaits 50 gay comments about Fused being their best album*

FudgeYourYankeeBlueJeans_ 7/22/2007 8:07:03 PM

im trendy. thats cool. you mention Amorphis' new one, im gonna say Karelian Isthmus was better. you mention Demigod, im gonna say Slumber of Sullen Eyes was better. some bands put out their best albums first. The Red Chord is one of them. dont cry because i dont like the new one. cry to them for making a shitty f*cking cd

hotaction_ 7/22/2007 8:35:55 PM

i was never too into this band too begin with (i never understood the "fuse" hype cept for 1 or 2 songs) and then clients came along and any remaining interest vanished. now i read they have "rock" parts? f*ck this band.

xdivisivex_ 7/22/2007 9:15:04 PM

this release is cr00sh

mike_ 7/22/2007 10:08:44 PM

hahaha like you have any room to talk any shit about any band. learn how to play your instrument first son.

Pat_the_gates_ 7/23/2007 12:31:23 AM

who still listens to this shit? Fused...was ok 5 years ago, now but it damn sure hasn't aged well. trendy shit that nobody cares about except for you hot topic deathcore gays. grow up

Nowonmai_ 7/23/2007 12:36:51 AM

lol, I'm too forward thinking to like any music made more than 2 years ago lol. f*ck everything. that said, will probably give this cd a listen.

anaturaldisaster_ 7/23/2007 2:52:18 AM

Really good record - better than Clients, in some ways equal to Fused. Strange that the first, independent record has far better production than later releases though.

shabang_ 7/23/2007 3:38:19 AM

I think this is their best yet. More memorable than clients, more mature than fused. This band hasn't peaked yet, and that's something to be happy about.

marching_band_rules_ 7/23/2007 3:43:00 AM

fused has hype because it was a hardcore record let's call a spade a spade it was the best because it was on robotic empire it's all politics that i subscribe to sure but this wasn't bad love this band

anonymous 7/23/2007 5:16:24 AM

Yeah, Fused was my favourite. It got me into extreme metal. Clients wasn't that great, 1 or 2 good tracks. I still want to like the Red Chord so will pick this up.

Dave2112_ 7/23/2007 6:12:07 AM

I dont understand why you idiots hate on Clients so much, theres awesome material on that record. And I agree with Fused, in that it was a solid release but with clients and this new album, they have rendered that album a relic. You people jocking Fused as their greatest album need to stop.

anonymous 7/23/2007 9:59:22 AM

fused was their best..need to hear this one more though

wolfpack_ 7/23/2007 1:58:25 PM

8/10 is good..great album

Lord Shredder_ 7/23/2007 4:09:26 PM

This album is pretty awesome actually. Clients was a huge undynamic bummer after Fused Together. The drumming is way more interesting than Clients (though not Justain good), the song-writing is hooky, dynamic and rad as it was on Fused. Guy's vocals are pretty boring as they were on Clients, when he decided to go for the typical Tough-Guy hardcore vocal style, but its at least not throaty, so its easy to accept. I'd say 8/10 is a good rating.

Kevin_ 7/23/2007 5:49:10 PM

I thought Clients was better than Fused Together, and from what I listened this is a very good cd. However, Guy's vocals really take a dive into the shitter. Oh well. Good shit!

Kevin_ 7/23/2007 5:49:31 PM

I thought Clients was better than Fused Together, and from what I listened this is a very good cd. However, Guy's vocals really take a dive into the shitter. Oh well. Good shit!

pukeskywalker_ 7/23/2007 10:27:55 PM

stopped reading after 1st paragraph of illiterate gibber gabber. where do you find these guys?

petenasty_ 7/24/2007 2:22:09 AM

Fused was perfect and influential. Clients wasn't that great, but what it did right it did amazing (Fixation on Plastics, Upper Decker, Clients for example). This album is a billion times better than Clients.... I like how it takes the technicality and speed of Fused and combines it with how Clients managed to make some songs very catchy and memorable.

Guy Kozowyk _ 7/24/2007 3:18:02 AM

This album is incredible, it's too bad that I am on it.

goodgod_ 7/24/2007 1:07:29 PM

This is a great album... and stop comparing it to fused... your right that was five years ago.. people go diffrent directions and have line-up changes that effect a bands sound... Plus there is a lot a bullshit out there that this is far better than.

dude_ 7/25/2007 10:27:09 AM

guy is the dumbest joke jerk that has ever lived. and all the guys in the band are nerds who live with there parents and never get laid even on tour,except brad who is a badass dude

centaur_ 7/25/2007 2:51:46 PM

^------complete douchebag and voracious donghuffer

Wankified Wankification_ 7/25/2007 7:59:22 PM

Guy and company probably paid off the reviewer. Let's be honest- 6/10- nothing more.

FranklinDelanoBluth_ 7/25/2007 9:09:08 PM

This album is shit. And guess what? Fused was shit too. Shit band. Shit discography. No one will care in 5 years.

Antman_ 7/26/2007 12:28:41 AM

f*cking Retard. Anyone who thought He Was Dead When I Got There had a boring fate is a pantywaste and I want nothing to do with you.

Antman_ 7/26/2007 12:31:47 AM

What the hell is wrong with all of you? Clients is just as epic as Fused Together. THis album is just furthering the fact that they are the only important Metal band around. 'SEMINAR' should prove that

asforzack123_ 7/27/2007 3:58:05 PM

Fused is Great Clients was great and i cant wait to hear the new shit stop hatein on the red chord

Hardware_ 7/31/2007 3:23:40 PM

more like the red bored

badaxe_ 8/2/2007 10:23:05 PM

Awe man, this band is EXTREME!!!!! I. Hate. Them.

Truth_Teller_ 8/4/2007 2:33:16 PM

Every single one of you gays were licking this bands nuts 3-4 years ago. Now everyone plays it like they are too cool to listen to them. They still write decent tunes, the new album is damn good, same as the last 2.

xshotgunseranadex_ 8/7/2007 7:06:12 AM

sweet christ.. can he kiss they're ass' anymore?

Dillon_ 8/7/2007 11:35:30 AM

What the f*ck are all you haters doing in your mom's bastuffts anyway? I'd love to see you pssy's shred like gunface can. Just as soon as you get your tiny dicks out of your hands we can see who's really lible to talk shit.

jhaslam_ 8/10/2007 11:24:16 AM

y'know what, im into this record. it came from over there is really good

dudes...relax._ 8/16/2007 10:53:01 PM

the songs on this are great! all TRC needs is to re-record it with Guy's vocals from Fused and they'll have a classic!

Meet Fists_ 9/24/2007 4:30:06 PM

f*cking Seminar is just about the most epic f*cking thing Ive ever heard. SO f*cking tightly executed. This band is unmatched

chas_ 9/24/2007 4:45:05 PM

fused was amazing, clients was ok, prey for eyes...not so good. everyone in the red chord is nice, their ex guitarist was kind of a dick...but guy sold me some stuff super cheap at a show once because i was short like 6 or 7 bucks. nice dude.

shutup bastard_ 7/29/2008 3:04:31 AM

goddamn their all over the map with this one! really diggin this shit

YouFail_ 1/19/2009 6:22:09 PM

Give Me a Cigarette, I'm havin a heart attack... where's my f*cking...barbecue? I know you have it!