Kansas City, Missouri rockers better known as Red Line Chemistry are back with a brand new album entitled Tug of War. The band started out back in 2004 when they signed with Bulldog Productions. They have been on the music scene for nearly a decade now and the music world welcomed them with open arms. The band members consist of Brett Ditgen (Vocalist), Andy Breit (Lead Guitar), Dave Fyten (Rhythm Guitar), Tom Brown (Bassist), and Mike Mazzarese (Drummer). What makes this band unique is that this band is all about the music, from the time that they wake up till the time they go to bed. They eat, drink, and sleep the music industry. Tug of War is the band’s third full length album, after their 2006 album entitled Chemical High & a Hand Grenade, and their 2011 album called Dying for a Living.
The first track on the band’s new album is called “Black Roses” which is an explosive track right off of the bat that will get music fans up off of their feet. It’s hard, heavy, and something that long time Red Line Chemistry fans as well as new fans will surely enjoy listening too. The song is followed by the title track off the album called “Tug of War” which is a very surprising. The track will surprise you from the beginning of the song to the very end. It is also one of the most aggressive songs off of the entire record but something that you cannot help listen too over and over. With lyrics “Shoving, Screaming, Tugging, CHOKE YOU OUT!” it makes a strong statement, one that cannot be given the cold shoulder. The third track off of the album is “Paralyzed,” which is also the second single released from the album. This track has an eerie sound to it that will surprise many music fans as it almost has an Alice in Chains kind of sound to it. Not to mention it brings out sort of a 90’s alternative sound mixed in with the new school sound making it an amazing track. “Fighter” is the next track off of the album. What we can tell about this song is it’s a statement made by the band to the world saying “We all end up having to go through our own personal battles in the world at one point or time in our life and fight our own demons too but at the end of the day if you have the heart, desire, and passion, you can win the fight and defeat those demons”. It also speaks volumes about the band that their main passion in life is their music.
The next song off of the album is entitled “Quiet Hurricane” which is one of the most melodic songs off of the album. At some points you would almost think that a duet will ensue during some of the verses but does not happen. It’s a great song, one that fans would love to see performed live. With its catchy tone and melodic sound it immediately hooks you in. “Eyes to the Sky” is one of the darkest and moody tracks on the record as it incorporates a piano sound into the song which is a very risky move by the band but a successful one at that. The complexity of this song is an amazing one that the band delivers with full success. You can certainly tell by this track the band shows how diverse they can be and they can achieve new heights that people once thought they never could do. Such a powerful and emotional song.
“Unspoken” is the next track off of the album which was released in May of 2012, and is also the first single off of the album. It’s an angry, dark, and mysterious song which brings out the theme of “relationship problems”. Something anyone can relate too. The question that is brought up in the song is “How do you sleep at night?”, but is never quiet answered. It really makes you think what brought up such a dark and mysterious song, but believed that it is something that the band wants you to answer personally. It truly is a killer track that is certainly worthy of being a hit on the radio.
Up next is one of the more emotionally driven epic songs off of the album, entitled “Through the Haze”. It’s a song that takes you on a ride as if you are sitting next to singer Brett Ditgen himself as he starts to tell you an emotional story about a personal loss and failure that took place in his life. It is truly an amazing song that reaches you on a deep emotional level that you cannot help but fall in love with this song. “Sucker Punch” is the next track off of the album that has a punk rock sound too it that is almost a sequel to the song “Unspoken”. It’s an angry break up song explaining “You sucker punched me with all that I have given you, but that’s ok, in the end I will be alright because I’m stronger then that”. This song with its great guitar riffs, sound, and vocals will be one that fans will immediately gravitate towards without a shadow of a doubt.
The next song on the album is called “One More Way” which switches from a hard angry sound into a more melodic song that is catchy to the listener. It takes a complete 180 from the previous song that people will enjoy to play. It incorporates the sound of heavy guitar tones to a build of killer vocalization skills. “Fall of Man” is the other dark and mysterious song off of the album with its ominous lyrics, sound, and vocals. Once again the band decides to incorporate the use of a piano melody into this song and even add an acoustic guitar into the mix. In doing so they ended up with a very successful song that fits perfectly with the theme of this tune. It’s a political song that you will either love or hate, but with the unique diverse sound and lyrics that this band delivers into this song music fans will love and appreciate it within its entirety. The last track off of the album is a cover of Pink Floyd’s “What Do You Want From Me” which is an immediate attention grabber. Their take on the song is breath taking and is the perfect ending to an already solid record.
Tug of War is a great and solid album which has incorporated new sounds that are delivered successfully and without a hitch. The lyrics and sound are something any fan of music can immediately grab and hold onto. The guys in Red Line Chemistry have certainly been put through the tests in the past and have come back stronger and better than ever. Tug of War lays to rest any criticism that they should never be in the music world. Music fans will gravitate towards this album, will be immediately hooked to it no questions asked, and certainly become fans of this band. This album is truly worth not only your time, but your ears too. Incredible album from start to finish! Cryptic Rock gives this album 4 out of 5 stars!
- Vertusent
Reviewed by Lee Letarte Jr
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They rock ….love it …..