Flashback CD Review #40 - Shenoah - Bleeding In The Red (EP)

[TageRyche]

This review was written in 2005 for the Rock is Life.com website. (2011 Update - The information in the Did You Know section about the meaning of the word "shenoah" was in the original publicity material but after the review was posted I got an email saying that info was incorrect. The word apparently means "A Radiating Presence of Love" according to a search I did prior to posting this Flashback review).

 

Shenoah

Bleeding In The Red (EP)

Corporate Punishment Records - 2005

http://www.shenoah.net

 

What's The 4-1-1?

The five song debut EP from the Cleveland, Ohio based band serving notice of a new player on the thrashing metal mad scene.

 

Genre

Heavy Metal / Thrash Metal / Hard Rock

 

The Good

Three songs on this album are REALLY good. The lead cut "Age of the White Dove" features 3 separate vocal deliveries. It has a melodic lead vocal, the traditional throat ripping metal scream and in the last portion of the song, spoken word. It also has a killer rhythm to the song. "Ashes to Ashes" has more of the traditional melodic vocal stylings to it. "Telephone Bruises" is probably the best song on the album and it really leans more toward the hard rock scene.

 

The Bad

While "Bullets and Numbers" and "Scent of a Dead Rose" unfurl the metal banner loud and proud musically, the cookie monster vocals of Rob Montague on these two songs just become too much for this reviewer's ears. I make no bones about preferring a more melodic sound to vocals and I thought he was excellent on the other three tracks; these two just didn't cut it with me vocally.

 

The Verdict

There can be no question about the band's defiantly thrashy riffs. The hardcore thrash metal fans will probably love this album. It showcase the band's ability and leaves you to wonder what will a full length album from Shenoah deliver. I just didn't particularly care for the vocals on two tracks but I'm sure that there is a sizeable portion of the metal audience that will absolutely love everything about them.

 

Did You Know?

Shenoah was started by former Chimaira guitarist/co-founder Jason Hager. The word "shenoah" means white dove in the Cherokee language. The band dedicated Bleeding In The Red to the late Damageplan/Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.

 

Rating:  2 1/2 out of 5

 

[Scott]

Not aThrash fan, so probably wont be looking into this further, but I at least wanted to say that I do enjoy reading your reviews, they are well written and I learn something new about bands I've never heard of before.  Keep it up!

[TageRyche]

Thanks for the feedback Scott. I was beginning to wonder if these reviews were being read at all.

[Scott]

No problem...  I wonder about my posts too, its pretty much just Niels, Jon and myself responding to them, but I think most people are at least reading them.   I guess thats the nature of the beast when you post stuff like this on a small site.  I think it will catch on though...

 

I just enjoy doing it ...  Please dont stop!!!

[TageRyche]

Scott, don't worry I had no intention of stopping.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I read them as well TR, I just don't respond to all of them.  The majority of it is stuff I'm not familiar with, but I really enjoy reading them.  I figured you just get tired of me typing "nice review" for each of 'em.