Punchy album opener “Touch” sets the tone for She Burns Red self-released debut Out Of Darkness (Self-Released) – emotive Hard Rock with fiery riffs, impassioned vocals, and a strong alternative influence. The Scottish rockers first record comes three years after their EP Take Back Tomorrow, and it mixes Metal-style heaviness and grunge soul-bearing, with Foo Fighters’ hooks and Wildhearts pop-punk smarts. 

Love, loss, relationships and depression are covered to the tune of slickly produced Hard Rock. Songs like “Out of Darkness” marry arena sensibilities and heartfelt lyrics to raucous rock, which works well and adds to the album’s heady atmosphere. “Crosshairs” is a rousing ballad, whose soaring guitar works and big hooks tell of suffering through a bad relationship, and the corrupting abilities of power is detailed in “Heavy is the Head”, a lively number with nimble riffs and vocals reminiscent of Foo Fighters. For a band to sound this accomplished and sure of themselves on their debut speaks of good things to come. 

The propulsive beat and cyclical riff of “Rise and Fall” has a lovely, gig-friendly spring to its step, and is one of the highlights. As is the building power, slow-burning hook and chunky bass of “Killing Time”, reminding you to stop and smell the flowers from time to time. Towards the end of the record the emotional outpourings and serious tone becomes a bit stifling, looming heavily over tracks like “Stronger” and “Crack The Sky” despite some spirited guitar solos. It feels a bit too top-heavy and in need of a bit of balance, which the light and shade of the aforementioned title track brings. 

Out Of Darkness is an accomplished offering of alternative-influenced Hard Rock with some lively guitar work, some big hooks, and an even bigger heart. 

Buy the album here:

https://sheburnsred.com/media/

7 / 10

THOMAS THROWER