The Red Chord

The Red Chord is an American extreme metal band from Revere, Massachusetts, formed in 1999. The group comprises vocalist Guy Kozowyk, guitarist/vocalist Mike "Gunface" McKenzie, bassist Greg Weeks and drummer Jon Rice. The band gained a fanbase with its 2002 debut album Fused Together in Revolving Doors. The second album, Clients, was released in 2005 and sold over 50,000 copies in the U.S. They released their third album, Prey for Eyes in 2007, which sold between 4,000 and 5,000 copies and debuted at No. 198 on the Billboard 200 chart. Their latest album, 2009's Fed Through the Teeth Machine, debuted at No. 180 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The Red Chord
Vocalist Guy Kozowyk performing in 2009
Vocalist Guy Kozowyk performing in 2009
Background information
OriginRevere, Massachusetts, U.S.
GenresTechnical death metal, grindcore, metalcore, deathcore
Years active1999–present (hiatus from 2015–2022)
LabelsMetal Blade, Robotic Empire
MembersGuy Kozowyk
Mike McKenzie
Greg Weeks
Jon Rice
Past membersMike Justian
Kevin Rampelberg
Jonny Fay
Mike Keller
Adam Wentworth
Brad Fickeisen
Jon Dow
John Longstreth
Tim Brault
Websitetheredchord.com

The Red Chord has released four studio albums, having toured in North America, Europe, and Japan.[1]

History

Formation, Fused Together in Revolving Doors and Clients (1999–2006)

The Red Chord was formed in Revere, Massachusetts in 1999 by vocalist Guy Kozowyk and guitarist Kevin Rampelberg. One year later, the band was joined by second guitarist Mike "Gunface" McKenzie, bassist Adam Wentworth and drummer Mike Justian.[2] The band's name is derived from Alban Berg's opera Wozzeck, in which a schizophrenic man slits his lover's throat, then reverts to his normal self and asks, "My love, what is that red cord across your neck?"[3] The debut album Fused Together in Revolving Doors was recorded with producer Andrew Schneider in December 2001 and released by the Robotic Empire record label.[2] With the debut album, The Red Chord gained a substantial fanbase.[4]

In early 2004, Wentworth and Justian announced their departure from The Red Chord and the band found replacements in bassist Gregory Weeks and drummer Jon Dow. In April that year, The Red Chord toured with Six Feet Under and others. The debut album was re-released with demo tracks, a full concert performance and the video clip for "Dreaming In Dog Years". In March, the band signed to Metal Blade. John Longstreth replaced Dow in May but exited in September. The Red Chord entered Planet Z Studios in Hadley, Massachusetts on November 1, with Brad Fickeisen as a new drummer, and recorded their second album Clients,[2][4] which subsequently sold over 50,000 copies in the US.[5]

2005 started with American tours and resumed on European tours in December. The band filmed a promotional video for the track "Antman" with director Dave Brodsky. The tour continued in North America through February 2006 until Ozzfest in June.[2][4]

Prey for Eyes and Fed Through the Teeth Machine (2007–present)

In February 2007, guitarist Jonny Fay decided to quit the band[6] and was replaced by Mike Keller. In May 2007, the band went on another tour to Europe. The third album, Prey for Eyes, was released on July 24.[2][4] The group parted ways with Keller in early September and decided not to replace him.[2]

The band's fourth album, Fed Through the Teeth Machine, was recorded in early to mid-2009 in Milford, New Hampshire, at Backyard Studios, which is owned by the band's former guitarist Jonny Fay.[7] The album was released on October 27, 2009.[8] Kozowyk said that the new songs are more intense and mature than those the previous album. "It's faster and heavier, but it's definitely groove-oriented and melodic where it needs to be," he commented.[9] Fed Through the Teeth Machine sold around 2,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release and debuted at No. 180 on the Billboard 200 chart.[10][11]

In 2010, the release was followed by a headlining tour in the U.S.[12] Due to a volcano eruption on Iceland, The Red Chord was forced to miss a co-headlining European "Machines Of Grind" tour with Aborted and Rotten Sound,[13] who subsequently embarked on a "DIY Fuck The Volcano" tour without The Red Chord.[14] The band later performed in Japan with Between the Buried and Me.[15] Drummer Michael Justian rejoined the band in February 2010, shortly after Fickeisen departed.[16] Fickeisen commented his departure: "There is no easy way to go about leaving a busy band with plans in constant motion, but a little abruptly, I chose to depart from manning the kit for The Red Chord. I have had a great time for the past five years with these guys, and wouldn't exchange it for anything. Touring is tough; everyone who's done it knows that. (...) I want to thank Greg, Guy, and Mike, and wish them the best of luck in the future."[17] A music video for "Demoralizer", that was filmed in late 2009, was released in mid-February.[18]

Justian departed from The Red Chord in March 2011 and the band hired Jon "The Charn" Rice of Job for a Cowboy for the forthcoming tour.[19]

On April 15, 2013, Guy Kozowyk became a sworn officer of the Manchester, New Hampshire Police Department. He was sworn in with six other new officers during a ceremony at police headquarters.[20]

On February 2, 2022, the band announced they would be performing at the Decibel Metal & Beer Fest in June, marking the end of a hiatus the band had since 2015 from performing. They performed their 2005 album Clients in its entirety.[21]

Musical style

The majority of The Red Chord's music is composed by McKenzie and to a lesser degree by Weeks and other band members. The lyrics are written by Kozowyk.[22] The band's grindcore[3][4][22][23][24][25][26] based sound also incorporates elements of death metal,[3][4][23][24] metalcore,[24][25][27][26] hardcore punk,[3][23][26] and progressive death metal,[25][27] and is considered experimental.[26][1][28] The Red Chord typically uses frequent tempo changes,[24] technically proficient instrumental approach[26] and emphasizes the element of groove in their music.[29][30]

Because the band has combined several different elements of heavy music into their style, they have been considered among the very first deathcore bands due to their hybridization of death metal with metalcore/hardcore influences,[31] however this statement is debatable because The Red Chord have always featured more eccentric influences in their music than just simply metalcore and death metal.[32]

Kozowyk uses metalcore-esque growls and screams with occasional spoken word[30] and is rather decipherable.[23] Kozowyk points out Frank Mullen from Suffocation as a vocal influence, Black Sabbath as a musical influence,[5] and Faith No More as a lyrical inspiration.[28]

Members
Current
  • Guy Kozowyk – vocals (1999–present)
  • Michael "Gunface" McKenzie – guitar, backing vocals (2000–present)
  • Gregory Weeks – bass (2004–present)
  • Jon Rice – drums (2011, 2014–present)
Former
  • Kevin Rampelberg – guitar (1999–2005)
  • Mike Justian – drums (2000–2004, 2010–2011)
  • Adam Wentworth – bass (2000–2004)
  • Jon Dow – drums (2004)
  • John Longstreth – drums (2004)
  • Jonny Fay – guitar (2005–2007)
  • Brad Fickeisen – drums (2004–2010)
  • Mike Keller – guitar (2007–2008)
  • Tim Brault – drums (2014)

Timeline

Discography
Studio albums

Music videos
  • "Dreaming in Dog Years" (2002)
  • "Antman" (2005)
  • "Blue Line Cretin" (2005)
  • "Black Santa" (2006)
  • "Fixation on Plastics" (2006)
  • "Dread Prevailed" (2007)
  • "Demoralizer" (2009)

See also

References
  1. Prey For Eyes, Exclaim!
  2. "The Red Chord Biography". MusicMight. Archived from the original on March 16, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
  3. Clients review, Stylus Magazine
  4. Mark Deming. "The Red Chord Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
  5. The Red Chord interview, Stylus Magazine
  6. The Red Chord Parts Ways With Guitarist, Seeks Replacement – Feb. 15, 2007 Archived March 2, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Blabbermouth.net
  7. The Red Chord: New Album Title Revealed – June 13, 2009, The Red Chord Parts Ways With Guitarist, Seeks Replacement – Feb. 15, 2007 Archived March 2, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Blabbermouth.net
  8. The Red Chord: 'Fed Through The Teeth Machine' Artwork, Track Listing Revealed – Sep. 9, 2009 Archived September 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, Blabbermouth.net
  9. "The Red Chord: Pro-Shot Footage Of Rock am Bach Performance Available – Aug. 3, 2009". Archived from the original on August 8, 2009.
  10. The Red Chord: 'Fed Through The Teeth Machine' First-Week Sales Revealed – Nov. 4, 2009, Blabbermouth
  11. The Red Chord Chart History, Billboard
  12. The Red Chord Announces Headlining Tour – Jan. 13, 2010 Archived June 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Blabbermouth.net
  13. Aborted To Tour Europe WIth The Red Chord And Rotten Sound – Feb. 1, 2010, Blabbermouth.net
    The Red Chord Is A Last-Minute Addition To New England Metal And Hardcore Festival – Apr. 22, 2010 Archived June 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Blabbermouth.net
  14. Aborted Checks In From 'Machines Of Grind' Tour – Apr. 22, 2010, Blabbermouth.net
  15. BTBAM & TRC 2010 tour Archived January 21, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, alliance-trax.com
  16. The Red Chord Replaces Drummer – Feb. 8, 2010 Archived February 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, Blabbermouth.net
  17. Former The Red Chord Drummer Comments On His Departure – Feb. 10, 2010 Archived June 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Blabbermouth.net
  18. The Red Chord: 'Demoralizer' Video Released – Feb. 13, 2010 Archived February 19, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, Blabbermouth.net
  19. The Red Chord Parts Ways With Drummer, Taps Job for a Coboy's Rice For Upcoming Tour – Mar. 8, 2011, Blabbermout.net
  20. "Manchester Police Department adds new officers | New Hampshire NEWS07". May 1, 2013. Archived from the original on May 1, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  21. "The Red Chord Will Reunite at Decibel's Metal & Beer Fest This June". MetalSucks. February 2, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  22. Iann Robinson, Guy Kozowyk of The Red Chord Archived October 31, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, CraveOnline, October 27, 2009
  23. Scott Alisoglu , Clients Archived September 22, 2005, at the Wayback Machine, Blabbermouth.net
  24. Alex Henderson. "Clients review". AllMusic. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
  25. Freeman, Phil. "Fed Through the Teeth Machine – The Red Chord". AllMusic. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  26. Chris Gramlich, Fused Together In Revolving Doors, Exclaim!
  27. The Red Chord at Metal Kingdom. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  28. Adrien Begrand Bruce Willis, Genghis Khan, and Ravioli: Inside the Red Chord's Prey for Eyes, PopMatters
  29. Scott Alisoglu, Prey For Eyes Archived October 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Blabbermouth.net
  30. Max Deneau, Clients, Exclaim!
  31. "The Red Chord". Metalblade.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  32. "The Porcelain Throne: The Red Chord". Toiletovhell.com. March 22, 2017. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
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