Red Method – Vol 1: As in Life (Review)

This is the latest EP from UK metallers Red Method.

Vol 1: As in Life contains 29 minutes of material. Red Method blend nu-metal, metalcore, and industrial elements into their metallic cocktail, (as well as a smattering of occasional deathcore and djent), manifesting as a sound that’s nicely dark and heavy.

Red Method’s commitment to aggressive heaviness, while still retaining hooks and accessibility is commendable. The music focuses on delivering a blend of catchiness and brutality, balanced well, so that you can rage around to it, but also simply enjoy the songs themselves. There are some damn sexy riffs on this thing too, and the singer has a good, versatile voice. It’s also satisfying that they don’t eschew guitar solos like so many of their 90s influences did – Detonate and Becoming the Sickness both have particularly tasty ones.

Of the six tracks, five are songs, and one an outro. The latter is surprisingly okay, while the former are where the real party is, designed to get mosh pits exploding everywhere. Red Method aren’t short on energy, but then neither are they lacking in the skills needed to transform that energy into actual songs.

The music boasts grooves that make you want to move, and a dynamic vitality that’s infectious. The 90a nu-metal influence is as clear as day, yet Red Method don’t restrict themselves to this, and Vol 1: As in Life doesn’t feel like a jaded nostalgiafest. More contemporary influences do appear, as well as others from across the decades, making for a more well-rounded offering than you might expect, (there’s a top guest spot from the singer of Bloodywood too).

The song Dispose of Me offers a suitable case study – as well as the aspects mentioned already, this song has a melodic death metal edge cut with something more modern like Bear. Either way, it’s a great example of what Red Method are capable of.

While Vol 1: As in Life is obviously for fans of bands such as American Headcharge, Devildriver, Machine Head, Mudvayne, Slipknot, etc., it also has the potential to reach wider. Red Method are basically a strong modern metal band with lots of 90s influences, and this new release is the best they’ve ever sounded.

Very highly recommended.