Reviewed by Andrew Wallace

Pennsylvania's Red burst onto the Christian rock scene in 2006 with their explosive debut 'End Of Silence'. Their fusion of passionate and emotional lyrics, pounding drums, epic strings, driving guitars and melodic hooks won them many fans and has ensured their longevity on the scene. In the ensuing 10 years Red have been nominated for two Grammy Awards and sold over one million albums. This tenth anniversary remastered re-release of 'End Of Silence' sounds as fresh and vibrant as ever with original cuts such as the hard-hitting, aggressive plea of desperation to God; "Breathe Into Me" and the haunting, intimate, piano-based "Pieces" showcasing lead Michael Barnes' vocal prowess in pulling off both aggressive rock or tender ballad with ease. The remastered versions sound little different to the untrained ear but the real plus here is the bonus content included. There are four excellent acoustic cuts - "Hide" and "Lost" being previously unreleased. "If I Break" is a signature string-soaked, Red ballad about staying strong in trials. Closing instrumental "Circles" is a luxurious, seven minute soundscape. This generous helping of extra material ensures this is a worthwhile purchase for diehard fans and an essential introduction for potential new ones.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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