Review by Joe Harvey
Let me share a story with you about the Red Chord...
Back on September 28th, 2007, I attended a show at the Chicago House of Blues featuring Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder, The Red Chord, Goatwhore, and the Absence. During Goatwhore, as I swarmed around in the pit, I got hit in the mouth and my lip ring was torn out. I was forced to receive medical attention and my girl at the time was mad because I got hurt while i was away from her. Cute. Well, as we were walking back up to the main floor, the Red Chord was gearing up to tear the place down. The band I was most excited to see. My girl held my hand tight and made me tell her I wouldn't leave her side for the rest of the show. I agreed. As we approached the crowd, I heard from the stage the opening to the one song I had come to hear. “Antman“. My hand pulled out of hers and seconds later I was completely out of her sight, back in the pit goin' crazy.
Ever since I first heard "Antman" off of The Red Chord's sophomore release Clients, I was completely hooked on this insanely unpredictable band. Their relentless musical arrangements and unmerciful vocals struck a chord (no pun intended) in me that few other bands at the time were able to do. It's easy to say that I was more than excited when I heard about the upcoming release of Prey for Eyes, which was in no way a disappointing follow-up to Clients.
Fast-forward to 2009 and that same feeling of excitement revisited me as I awaited the chance to get my hands on a copy of Fed Through The Teeth Machine. The album title alone had me totally pumped. As usual, I was a bit nervous as I have almost come to expect some of the bands I love to release very sub par records to follow up great ones.
All worries were not just shoved out the door when "Demoralizer" began to play, the worries were beaten to a fuckin' pulp and left in the street to die. "Demoralizer", I felt, was the perfect word to describe the way I felt as I listened to this music. Like I just did not give a shit. And as I always say, if your body feels a physical reaction from the music, then you know it's great. And that feeling remained "Floating Through The Vein" for the entire record. There is really no point in breaking the album down song-by-song, because the entire thing is spectacular. I guess if I were forced to pick a favorite, I would opt for "Mouthful of Precious Stones". Absolutely ridiculous.
Fed Through The Teeth Machine, song after song, does not let up. If you are a fan of any of the Red Chord's past releases, then this one will not let you down. In fact, I think it is one of the most impressive ones yet. And best of all, the more you listen, the more you hear, obviously meaning that the replay value is incredible. If you have not yet gotten a hold of this juggernaut of an album, do yourself a favor and don't wait any longer.