ALBUM: Pariah // ARTIST: REDSTARBORN
Forming a true melting pot of modern nostalgia, Gold Coast rockers REDSTARBORN have lucidly cemented their flourishing reputation with Pariah, a charismatic rager of a debut LP that unveiled last week.
Never ones to follow expectations, the blazing trio behind REDSTARBORN have routinely stuck to their guns since their inception in 2012, not only evolving their anthemic tendencies but also finding themselves supporting local and international legends including Darkcell, Twelve Foot Ninja and Stryper along the way. And it's on their latest expedition with their heavily anticipated debut full-length Pariah that REDSTARBORN truly reveal their affinity for modern metal, nostalgic rock and high-octane charisma in measured fashion.
Opening track and lead single The Threshing Floor jumps out in menacing fashion, packed full of drawling basslines and shifting melodics that traipses a typical hard rock tightrope while also significantly surging some narrative hope for those dealing with tragedy and pain. Up next, Cellophane continues with blazing riffs and belting, brawling vocals that'll tickle the fancy of those who like their rock on the Stone Sour side of the coin, but with the subtle wisps of good old-fashioned Aussie pizzazz.
THE THRESHING FLOOR (CELLOPHANE)
You're on Your Own carves up some snarling Aussie rock next that thrashes and bashes its deep grooves into your brain before title track Pariah (Better this Way) takes a spin with some time-traveling metal that would certainly rip the roof off live, and offers up a noticably robust vocal outing from frontman Dan Newton.
Pariah journeys on with a mixture of rockin' light and shade, with softer jaunts (Someone, Unbroken), riff-heavy raptures (Days of Letting Go, Girlfriend, Bleeding Heart) and hook-laden anthems (Watch the World Burn) that bust out every aspect of the REDSTARBORN arsenal in increasingly assured fashion.
WATCH THE WORLD BURN (REDSTARBORN)
Approaching the close of REDSTARBORN's debut LP is the emphatic old-school rocker Crystal Clear, balancing heavy and melodic elements alongside soaring, emotive vocals. But hold up, we're not done here just yet! Closing out proceedings is bonus track Broken offering up a stripped-back ballad that clutches at the sides of some modern rock while maintaining a reticent energy that flourishes in its fervent simplicity.
With Pariah, the REDSTARBORN lads certainly go from strength to strength as their new sonic baby progresses from modern roots to more established fare. And while undoubtedly inspired by a whole host of modern and vintage rockers that have come before them, perhaps the biggest triumph to emerge from this Gold Coast trio is their ability to clasp at their influences while also establishing their own unique stamp on the rock and roll trope. REDSTARBORN may have crafted a thumping ode to the outsiders with Pariah, but this trio have emerged as anything but with this progressively crushing release that firmly seals their standing as one of the Sunshine State's most compelling acts.
REDSTARBORN'S DEBUT FULL-LENGTH PARIAH IS OUT IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW, AND YOU CAN CATCH THE GENTS AT ONE OF THEIR UPCOMING GIGS OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. TOUR INFO BELOW, AND FOR MORE REDSTARBORN INFO, HEAD HERE.
REDSTARBORN UPCOMING LIVE SHOWS
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14 Wallapalooza - Gold Coast (festival)
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28 Rock Beats Depression - Brisbane (festival)
SUNDAY OCTOBER 20 Advancetown Hotel - Gold Coast; with Ride the Lightning
SATURDAY OCTOBER 26 Matthew Flinders Hotel - Melbourne Headline; with Torrential Thrill + Eat The Damn Orange + The Passouts
BY TIANA SPETER