Viking’s Choice: Red Death, ‘Strategic Mass Delirium’

By Lars Gotrich  |  NPR

Red Death.
Red Death. Angela Owens, Courtesy of the artist

D.C. hardcore is ridiculous right now. Coke Bust, Pure Disgust, Protester, Collusion, Public Suicide, Misled Youth, Give — these are just a few of the bands ruling the basements of the city, with most (but not all) of its members still in their teens. One of the pit leaders is Red Death, a band that lives up to its name.

Heavier than its peers, Red Death hits that sweet spot between “Horns up!” and the mosh move “picking up change.” Following last year’s promising demo, Permanent Exile is 16 minutes of D-beat-driven, Discharge swinging, early Corrosion Of Conformity pummeling, Death Angel thrash-riffing hardcore. “Strategic Mass Delirium” gives you 50 seconds to swarm in its rolling toms and psychedelic guitar freak-out, and then all hell breaks loose.

Permanent Exile comes out this weekend on Grave Mistake during Damaged City Fest in Washington, D.C. Red Death is on tour with The Flex now.

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