NEW RED FANG OMG. Their new album, Only Ghosts, came out today on vinyl and digital and Sportify and everywhere else. I assume there are cassettes of it somewhere. And just like every other Red Fang album, I’ll likely listen to it seven or eight times today.
Like many of their other albums, I run into issues trying to peg them. They’re not really stoner rock, not really groove metal, they dabble in all sorts of themes and styles when they play, alternating between vocal harmonization and growly singing, throwing doom-style breakdowns between garage rock guitar licks, and generally creating a sound that’s equal parts frenetic, elegant, and foreboding.
They’ve let a slow drip of singles out over the past few months, including Shadows, Living in Lye, Cut it Short, and Not for You, so I’ve had a bit of time to get amped up for it. But within the structure of the album, the singles really fit and fill out nicely, letting them bounce from the slower No Air into the power anthem of Shadows. I know there’s going to be a ton of shouting along to that one.
If you already enjoy Red Fang, you’re going to dig the hell out of this album. If you’re new to Red Fang, definitely check out Flies & Shadows, then give the rest of the album a spin. Kinda bummed they’re not playing Bellingham on this tour, but hopefully they come by soon; I’d be stoked to hear these songs live.