SHE BURNS RED – Out of Darkness

Having not yet had the pleasure of listening to the previous offering by this Scottish hard rock act, namely the debut EP named Take Back Tomorrow from 2020, I had no idea what to expect from this upcoming album by She Burns Red. What I can tell you is that I was in for a big treat as Out of Darkness is brimming with energy and spirit from top to bottom. Possessing groove, swagger, charm, and rock ‘n’ roll attitude but also emotional depth and the ability to tug at the old heartstrings, this is a well-written affair that contains all the right ingredients in terms of delivering a musical experience that feels cohesive, rewarding, and very complete somehow. The lyrics are worthy of one’s time too, and although the most appropriate summary of the LP would be something along the lines of nicely crunchy and modern-sounding hard rock with alternative rock influences coursing through it, there are in fact a few riffs and ideas here that would not have sounded entirely out of place on the Use Your Illusion records by Guns ‘N Roses. The semi-bluesy and bouncy ‘Touch’ even reminds me a little of ‘Prince Charming’ by Metallica. Regardless, this is a most fulfilling listen, and the tunes titled ‘Rise and Fall’ and ‘Killing Time’ deserve some serious airplay. Honest, uplifting, and memorable stuff. Make sure you check this thunderous gem out.