The Red Chord

The Red Chord
Origin Revere, Massachusetts, United States
Genres Technical death metal, deathgrind, deathcore
Years active 1999–present
Labels Metal Blade, Robotic Empire
Associated acts Beyond the Sixth Seal, Plant Vochestra, Stomach Eiarth, Unraveller, Unearth
Website www.theredchord.com
Members Guy Kozowyk
Mike McKenzie
Greg Weeks
Michael Justian
Past members Kevin Rampelberg
Jonny Fay
Mike Keller
Adam Wentworth
Brad Fickeisen
Matt Murphy

The Red Chord is an American deathgrind band from Revere, Massachusetts, formed in 1999. The group comprises vocalist Guy Kozowyk, guitarist/vocalist Mike "Gunface" McKenzie, bassist Greg Weeks and drummer Michael Justian. The band gained a fanbase with its 2002 debut album Fused Together in Revolving Doors. The second album, Clients, was released in 2005 and sold over 50,000 copies in the U.S. They released their third album, Prey for Eyes in 2007, which sold in between 4,000 and 5,000 copies and debuted at No. 198 on the Billboard 200 chart. Their latest album, 2009's Fed Through the Teeth Machine, debuted at No. 180 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The Red Chord has released four studio albums, having toured in North America, Europe, and Japan.[1]

History

Formation, Fused Together in Revolving Doors and Clients (1999–2006)

The Red Chord was formed in Revere, Massachusetts in 1999 by vocalist Guy Kozowyk and guitarist Kevin Rampelberg. One year later, the band was joined by second guitarist Mike "Gunface" McKenzie, bassist Adam Wentworth and drummer Mike Justian.[2] The band's name is derived from Alban Berg's opera Wozzeck, in which a schizophrenic man slits his lover's throat, then reverts to his normal self and asks, "My love, what is that red cord across your neck?"[3] The debut album Fused Together in Revolving Doors was recorded with producer Andrew Schneider in December 2001 and released by the Robotic Empire record label.[2] With the debut album, The Red Chord gained a substantial fanbase.[4]

In early 2004, Wentworth and Justian announced their withdrawal from The Red Chord and the band found replacements in bassist Gregory Weeks and drummer Jon Dow. In April that year, The Red Chord toured with Six Feet Under and others. The debut album was re-released with demo tracks, a full concert performance and the video clip for "Dreaming In Dog Years". In March, the band signed to Metal Blade. John Longstreth replaced Dow in May but exited in September. The Red Chord entered Planet Z Studios in Hadley, Massachusetts on November 1, with Brad Fickeisen as a new drummer, and recorded their second album Clients,[2][4] which subsequently sold over 50,000 copies in the US.[5]

2005 started with American tours and resumed on European tours in December. The band filmed a promotional video for the track "Antman" with director Dave Brodsky. The tour continued in North America through February 2006 until Ozzfest in June.[2][4]

Prey for Eyes and Fed Through the Teeth Machine (2007–present)

Kozowyk performing live

In February 2007, guitarist Jonny Fay decided to quit the band[6] and was replaced by Mike Keller. In May 2007, the band went on another tour to Europe. The third album, Prey for Eyes, was released on July 24.[2][4] The group parted ways with Keller in early September and decided not to replace him.[2]

The band's fourth album, Fed Through the Teeth Machine, was recorded in early to mid-2009 in Milford, New Hampshire, at Backyard Studios, which is owned by the band's former guitarist Jonny Fay.[7] The album was released on October 27, 2009.[8] Kozowyk says the new songs are more intense and mature than those the previous album. "It's faster and heavier, but it's definitely groove-oriented and melodic where it needs to be," he commented.[9] Fed Through the Teeth Machine sold around 2,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release and debuted at No. 180 on the Billboard 200 chart.[10][11]

In 2010, the release was followed by a headlining tour in the U.S.[12] Due to a volcano eruption on Iceland, The Red Chord was forced to miss a co-headlining European "Machines Of Grind" tour with Aborted and Rotten Sound,[13] who subsequently embarked on a "DIY Fuck The Volcano" tour without The Red Chord.[14] The band later performed in Japan with Between the Buried and Me.[15] Drummer Michael Justian rejoined the band in February 2010, shortly after Fickeisen departed.[16] Fickeisen commented his departure: "There is no easy way to go about leaving a busy band with plans in constant motion, but a little abruptly, I chose to depart from manning the kit for The Red Chord. I have had a great time for the past five years with these guys, and wouldn't exchange it for anything. Touring is tough; everyone who's done it knows that. (...) I want to thank Greg, Guy, and Mike, and wish them the best of luck in the future."[17] A music video for "Demoralizer", that was filmed in late 2009, was released in mid-February.[18]

Justian departed from The Red Chord in March 2011 and the band hired Jon "The Charn" Rice of Job for a Cowboy for the forthcoming tour.[19]

Rumours that band had split up or were on hiatus were finally quashed when, in December 2012, the band wrote this status on their Facebook page: "Apparently the Wikipedia page for The Red Chord says we're "on hiatus." This is not true. We're just taking forever to write a record."

On April 15th 2013, Guy Kozowyk became a sworn officer of the Manchester New Hampshire Police Department. He was sworn in with six other new officers during a ceremony at police headquarters.[20]

Musical style

The majority of The Red Chord's music is composed by McKenzie and to a lesser degree by Weeks and other band members. The lyrics are written by Kozowyk.[21] The band's grindcore[3][4][21][22][23][24][25] and deathgrind-based sound[26] also may incorporate elements of death metal,[3][4][22][23] metalcore,[23][24][25][26] hardcore punk[3][22][26] and progressive death metal,[24][25] and is typically experimental.[26] [1][27] The Red Chord typically uses frequent tempo changes,[23] technically proficient instrumental approach[26] and emphasizes the element of groove in their music.[28][29] The vocal style of Kozowyk uses deathgrind guttural growls with occasional spoken word[29] and is rather indecipherable.[22] Kozowyk points out Frank Mullen from Suffocation as a vocal influence, Black Sabbath as a musical influence,[5] and Faith No More as a lyrical inspiration.[27]

Members

Current members
  • Guy Kozowyk – vocals (1999–present)
  • Mike "Gunface" McKenzie – guitar, backing vocals (2000–present)
  • Michael Justian – drums (2000–2004, 2010–2011, 2013-2014, 2016-present)
  • Greg Weeks - bass (2004-present)
Former members
  • Adam Wentworth - bass (2000-2003)
  • Kevin "Big Kev" Rampleberg - guitar (2000-2005)
  • Brad Fickeisen - drums (2004-2010)
  • John Longstreth - drums (2004)
  • Jon Dow - drums (2004)
  • Johnny Fay - guitar (2005-2007)
  • Kevin Talley - drums (2006)
  • Mike Keller - guitar (2007-2008)
  • Jon "The Charm" Rice - drums (2011)
  • Tim Brault - drums (2014-2015)


Timeline

Discography

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Prey For Eyes, Exclaim!
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The Red Chord Biography". MusicMight. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Clients review, Stylus Magazine
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mark Deming. "The Red Chord Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  5. 1 2 The Red Chord interview, Stylus Magazine
  6. ↑ The Red Chord Parts Ways With Guitarist, Seeks Replacement - Feb. 15, 2007, Blabbermouth.net
  7. ↑ The Red Chord: New Album Title Revealed - June 13, 2009, The Red Chord Parts Ways With Guitarist, Seeks Replacement - Feb. 15, 2007, Blabbermouth.net
  8. ↑ The Red Chord: 'Fed Through The Teeth Machine' Artwork, Track Listing Revealed - Sep. 9, 2009, Blabbermouth.net
  9. ↑ The Red Chord: Pro-Shot Footage Of Rock am Bach Performance Available - Aug. 3, 2009
  10. ↑ The Red Chord: 'Fed Through The Teeth Machine' First-Week Sales Revealed - Nov. 4, 2009, Blabbermouth
  11. ↑ The Red Chord Chart History, Billboard
  12. ↑ The Red Chord Announces Headlining Tour - Jan. 13, 2010, Blabbermouth.net
  13. ↑ Aborted To Tour Europe WIth The Red Chord And Rotten Sound - Feb. 1, 2010, Blabbermout.net
    The Red Chord Is A Last-Minute Addition To New England Metal And Hardcore Festival - Apr. 22, 2010, Blabbemouth.net
  14. ↑ Aborted Checks In From 'Machines Of Grind' Tour - Apr. 22, 2010, Blabbermouth.net
  15. ↑ BTBAM & TRC 2010 tour, alliance-trax.com
  16. ↑ The Red Chord Replaces Drummer - Feb. 8, 2010, Blabbermouth.net
  17. ↑ Former The Red Chord Drummer Comments On His Departure - Feb. 10, 2010, Blabbermouth.net
  18. ↑ The Red Chord: 'Demoralizer' Video Released - Feb. 13, 2010, Blabbermouth.net
  19. ↑ The Red Chord Parts Ways With Drummer, Taps Job for a Coboy's Rice For Upcoming Tour - Mar. 8, 2011, Blabbermout.net
  20. ↑ http://www.unionleader.com/article/20130416/NEWS07/130419313/0/SEARCH
  21. 1 2 Iann Robinson, Guy Kozowyk of The Red Chord, CraveOnline, October 27, 2009
  22. 1 2 3 4 Scott Alisoglu , Clients, Blabbermouth.net
  23. 1 2 3 4 Alex Henderson. "Clients review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  24. 1 2 3 Freeman, Phil. "Fed Through the Teeth Machine - The Red Chord". Allmusic. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  25. 1 2 3 The Red Chord at Metal Kingdom. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 Chris Gramlich, Fused Together In Revolving Doors, Exclaim!
  27. 1 2 Adrien Begrand Bruce Willis, Genghis Khan, and Ravioli: Inside the Red Chord’s Prey for Eyes, PopMatters
  28. ↑ Scott Alisoglu, Prey For Eyes, Blabbermouth.net
  29. 1 2 Max Deneau, Clients, Exclaim!
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