Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Anoracks might want to observe that this set from the Nashville-based hard rockers was the only non-worship or hymnody album showing on Britain's first ever Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart. In the US, of course, Red have built up quite a following and after releasing a pair of heavy metal/post grunge efforts they followed through with a less well received modern folk-tinged album. Now with their fourth studio release eclecticism clearly rules. There are throat-shredding metal items like the title track and "Damage" which are possibly heavier than anything on their first two albums but on the other end there are radio friendly pop rockers like "Hold Me Now" and "The Moment We Come Alive" which would fit pretty neatly onto the Cross Rhythms playlist. Overall this is Michael Barnes' best vocal performance to date. His highs and lows, screamed notes and strained growls all seem appropriate to the songs and arrangements while the album's lyrical content almost reads like a testimony with songs dealing with faking the Christian life, a Christocentric plea for mercy ("Die For You") and a song "So Far Away" which neatly recognises that Christ never leaves us, it's us who are pulling away. 'Release The Panic' has received some extremely mixed reviews with producer Howard Benson taking considerable flack. Sputnik Music suggested that "our eardrums are pummelled with the same sounds for the length of the LP, creating monotony," while a Cross Rhythms writer observed "almost the entire second half of 'Release The Panic' is given over to ballads, and it sure does drag." For me though, this album still contains some excellent cuts.

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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