Ryan's Gig Guide - April 2019

LEFT FOR RED ALBUM: Human Complex Definitely recommended for fans of Down, Fear Factory and Deftones.The second album from Black Country rockers Left For Red is the finest release of their career so far. Highlights include opener ‘Danc- ingWith Misery’ an atmospheric masterpiece of dark harmony and tonal brilliance plus a welcome song writing gear shift of gigantic proportions; they’ve re- ally stepped up their game. The up-tempo crushing ‘Switch Blade romance’ is caked in their signature metal groove plus there’s heavy elements of Nu Metal in regards to riffs and lyrically hypnotic as hell with the powerful chorus “I still remember the 4th of November, the voices in my head” a date which I can only assume is extremely personal to the sing- er (unless it’s in reference to National Chicken Lady Day in the US; a date I’ll never forget). Overall this is an extremely strong rock and metal album. Plenty of surprises throughout which will impress dedicat- ed fans of the band and newcomers will simply em- brace this as it’s intelligent, hard when it needs to be and elegant in the right places. Songs like ‘Tame The Tides’ and ‘Sunrise Bring Serenity’ prove that Left For Red have a genuine sound and can be as versatile as they like without losing it.As metal bands from the Midlands go; Left For Red are clearly masters of the game.Amazing work.  www. facebook.com/leftforreduk GRANDE VALISE ALBUM: Glass & Keys Beautiful well produced synth pop from the heart of the Blackcountry, whilst not as blunt as say typ- ical synth pop artists from the 80s such as Yazoo, Human League or New Order, instead Grande Va- lise offer a more relaxing electro-folk nostalgia trip with an edge and deliver a stunning and compelling album as if someone said “We’ve booked you to go on the Stranger Things soundtrack”. Highlights include the hymn-like ‘Charles & Jeremiah’...hmmm electro-prayer? Maybe I’ve invented a new genre? Anyway what makes this particular song stand out most is the solid vocal performances and the deep meaningful lyrical hooks throughout worthy of Ben E.King. It’s bursting with melodic charm and the overall synthesizer fuelled amazing grace indie gos- pellness (Is that even a real word?) of it just works so well. Other noticeable tracks on here are ‘John Elliot Stands’ (Radiohead with a saxophone player) and ‘People Not Places’ which lyrically feels authentic enough to have been written during the mid 80s and ends with a wonderful simple but effective guitar line. There’s the addictive disco swagger of ‘My Midland Heart’ and finally the album title track and closer ‘Glass & Keys’ filled with a subtle Depeche Mode quirky darkness. Excellent.  www. facebook.com/gvalise Greetings puny humans. Some truly enjoyable releases this month.You readers may think I’m soft but If I’ve reviewed your CD then it obvious- ly means that it’s not shit and meets my impeccably high standards. No one in their right mind would be foolish enough to send me rubbish and if they did I would simply track down the band, tar and feather them, gather up their instruments and then insert them into an industrial mincing machine. Make sure you download or stream all these releases and then burn anything else in your collection. Have fun you bunch of pop tarts. Hail Townsend www.ryansgigguide.com rgg Apr 2019 9