| Musical Style: Melodic Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: Armand John Petri |
| Record Label: Pure Metal | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1989 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 70% |
| Running Time: 36:15 |
The Scarlet Red 1989 Pure Metal Records debut full length Don’t Dance With Danger is good but not one of the greats. While featuring notable female vocals, eye catching cover art and its share of choice material, album trails those of the groups ‘white metal’ contemporaries in songwriting consistency and production refinement. Scarlet Red draws upon similar melodic metal and hard rock underpinnings as Shout, Angelica, Stryper and Guardian, for instance, but at this early stage in its career does not reach similar heights of musical aptitude. Which I find a shame, particularly when factoring Scarlet Red had potential to do great things if similar to as noted counterparts had opportunity to record one or more follow up releases.
The Nashville, Tennessee based four piece got its start as a mainstream act under the Lust moniker. When drummer Davy Ledford came to the faith, however, he no longer could justify being in a band with such a name and purpose; as a result, he left Lust, which prompted it to disband. Miraculously, in time and without any communication with one another, each former member of Lust also became a Christian. After getting back in contact, they wanted to create music reflecting their newfound faith and reformed under the name Scarlet Red to honor the Blood of Christ. Scarlet Red proceeded to place the track “You Live Fast” on the 1988 The Axemen compilation ahead of signing to Pure Metal.
“You Live Fast” opens album as one of its better tracks. The classical keyboards to start give way to thickset rhythm guitar and we are off, with force tempering for the demure verse sections only to return for a persuasive refrain embraced by burly backing vocals. Curtis Lee proves no small talent with his distorted guitar leads. What we have is as fine a melodic metal cut recorded during the era that is more than deserving of its inclusion on The Axemen.
“Cry Out” slows pace to resolved mid-tempo territory. Song begins to several seconds of open-air guitar before gradually rumbling ahead, guitar maintaining distinct metal overtures alongside the group’s trademark enlivened underpinnings. That said refrain might have further stood out if backed by layered vocal melodies ala Stryper. Hence, misgivings in regards to production, which while in no way flawed reveals certain elements of thinness that would benefit from a touch of big-budget polish. Lyric snippet:
It’s all so useless
Aren’t you ready to change
Why put yourself through this
Why don’t you call on His name
You may not care where you’re going
He doesn’t care where you’ve been
He didn’t come to condemn you
But set you free from your sins
Two songs in and it deserves note manner in which front lady Danis sings with heart and soul in smoothly walking a fine line between the soaring style of Christine Steel (Arsenal) and lower register grit to Lisa Faxon (Ransom).
“Never” pushes in a melodic hard rock heading. With acapella vocals to start, song backs from some of the previous heavier guitar elements for a pop-based sound rooted in choir like vocal melodies and radio friendly sensibilities. Perhaps it is a slight restrained feel and corresponding diminished energy, but chorus fails to hit with repeat play. Overall, this one is far from bad but also a bit too commercial for my taste.
“Knock Down The Walls” is first of two ballads. It takes a hard rock heading, dreamy and moody as Danis evenly sings over stilly done verse sections but also tough and severe as rhythm guitar cuts in at moments notice to reinforce the melancholic refrain. Lead guitar takes a fitting unsettled stance. Lyric snippet:
All the lonely years Lord
I spent looking for Your love
And then I go and throw it all away
Don’t know how I’ve changed Lord
Somehow it doesn’t seem the same
I wish I knew what to do or to say
If I could knock down the walls…
“Fight Fire” is albums fastest with a speed-based bent. Song begins to open air guitar soon joined by heady bass, blustering forward with full abandon until cresting for the self-assertive ‘fight fire with fire’ refrain’ backed by Ledford’s double kick drum. Overall, this one might be brief at just three minutes, but it is not lacking hooks and energy.
Albums title track begins its second side. What we have is another song of a commercial pop metal bent, realized in rhythm guitar that might not hit hard as some but is striking all the same, with a similar application manifesting for the varnished hooks to stand out equally. I see this one fitting on Bloodgood’s Rock In A Hard Place. Lyric snippet:
Met a rebel the other day
He’s got no fear at all
Rebel, rebel hear what I say
You’re headed for a fall
I like to rock, I like to roll
That’s what he had to say
Well that’s fine, but you better get in line
Before the judgement day
A return to upbeat metal territory realizes on “Lost And Found”. What we have is a focused buffeter, with sturdy timekeeping, pronounced bass and rhythm guitar touching upon traditional metal. Yet, a corresponding melodic aspect embodies in another equally engrossing refrain. Helping put things over the top is the fiery left to right channel lead guitar. This one brings to mind Eternal Ryte.
“Hold On To Love” defines as another pop-based hard rocker. It delivers goods in the form of upbeat tempo, layered harmonies and polished percipience but ultimately falls flat. Problem revolves around an overabundance of vocal melodies that cause an awkward phrasing to the refrain- back off from the vocal melodies and it would flow smoother. That said I take to the blasting lead guitar adorning the final minute. Lyric snippet:
And now are lives aren’t always perfect
I’d be a fool to tell you so
But now are hearts aren’t always searching
For a love to call our own
We never really knew about love
Until we found the One above
And now we say to you
Wont’ you hold on
Keyboards cover extent of second ballad “Why”. Yes, nicely done and heartfelt vocal performance, but I cannot help but feel it would benefit if imbued with a rhythm guitar track or at very least a moving guitar solo.
Album closes strongly to “Break The Chains”. It rates among my favorites as another brash metal piece, starting to the sound of shattering glass, gunshots and sirens ahead of intensely launching as uninhibited rhythm guitar takes over in vehement fashion. Refrain follows suite, as deeply woven backing vocals amplify the ardor to exude. A montage of news blasts precedes another lightning like lead guitar run. Lyric snippet:
What’s the answer, is it black or white
Will you choose darkness or walk in the light
Or run away ad pretend that you never knew
When time’s up and the verdict is in
Then you’ll be holy or you’ll burn in sin
It’s pretty simple when you’re willing to face what’s true
Break the chains- won’t you stand and face the fight
Break the chains- why choose darkness over light
Scarlet Red exhibits a high level of potential on debut Don’t Dance With Danger. Album is not without its share of choice material in that heavier cuts “You Live Fast”, “Fight Fire” and “Break The Chains” shine, as does ballad “Knock Down The Walls”. Danis proves a solid front-lady, while Lee performs at a high level from a guitar standpoint while the same applies to the Ledford and Warner rhythm section. Yes, some misgivings as it pertains to production and inconsistency songwriting wise, which leads to the main point at hand: I see a sophomore album from Scarlet Red exhibiting significant improvement in either area. At this point, best we can hope is for a re-mastered reissue to Don’t Dance With Danger to include any unreleased demo material sitting in the vault.
Review by: Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: "You Live Fast" (4:48), "Cry Out" (2:47), "Never" (3:34), "Knock Down The Walls" (4:10), "Fight Fire" (2:50), "Don’t Dance With Danger" (3:20), "Lost And Found" (2:43), "Hold On To Love" (4:21), "Why" (3:40), "Break The Chains" (3:58)
Musicians
Danis - Lead Vocals
Curtis Lee - Guitars
Jeff Warner - Bass
Davy Ledford - Drums
Reference List
Houston, Rich. "Glam Metal With A Purpose." White Throne 5 (1989): 12-13.
Houston, Rich. "Scarlet Red - Glamin' The Gospel." Heaven's Metal 20 (1989): 14.
