Red Sea is a Heavy Metal Blues band that is the brain child of frontman-Robyn Kyle Basauri. Red Sea's sound has been compared to Blues based bands like Badlands, Deep Purple, Blindside Blues Band, and Santana.
Robin Kyle Basauri is known for his work as vocalist with the group Die Happy which rose from the ashes by former members of the band Vengeance Rising. Die Happy had a short run, however, the band managed to release 2 albums between 1992 and 1993. In '93, shortly after members of Die Happy disbanded, frontman-Kyle Basauri quickly got to work on forming a new group. Kyle contacted fellow band member-Greg Chaisson(Die Happy, Badlands) to play bass and he promptly came on board. Kyle then contacted axeman-Chris Howell who was available at the time due to the demise of his band 'Fear Not' which happened shortly after the release of their 1993 album. Chris gladly joined Red Sea and took his position as lead guitarist for the band. In order to complete the band, Kyle reached out to percussionist-Jeff Martin(Racer X, Badlands) and he joined the band as well taking his seat behind the kit. With all four members on board and raring to go, Red Sea stepped into the studio to begin recording their debut album.
Robin Kyle Basauri is known for his work as vocalist with the group Die Happy which rose from the ashes by former members of the band Vengeance Rising. Die Happy had a short run, however, the band managed to release 2 albums between 1992 and 1993. In '93, shortly after members of Die Happy disbanded, frontman-Kyle Basauri quickly got to work on forming a new group. Kyle contacted fellow band member-Greg Chaisson(Die Happy, Badlands) to play bass and he promptly came on board. Kyle then contacted axeman-Chris Howell who was available at the time due to the demise of his band 'Fear Not' which happened shortly after the release of their 1993 album. Chris gladly joined Red Sea and took his position as lead guitarist for the band. In order to complete the band, Kyle reached out to percussionist-Jeff Martin(Racer X, Badlands) and he joined the band as well taking his seat behind the kit. With all four members on board and raring to go, Red Sea stepped into the studio to begin recording their debut album.
In 1994 Red Sea released their debut full-length album simply yet profoundly titled 'Blood' on Rugged Records. Founder/frontman-Kyle Basauri hired P.K. Mitchell(Neon Cross) to produce the album with whom he had already worked with on a project in '93 titled 'All Hail The Power' where Kyle performed vocals for 3 different tracks. From the soulful heartfelt vocals to the bluesy guitar play to the funky bass lines combined with the 80's style drum play one will find plenty to get excited about within this release. From track to track one will quickly notice that there are no fillers or poorly produced tracks to skip over.
This debut release could be considered an all-star project due to its roster, as mentioned above, featuring musicians from some well know acts like vocalist-Robyn Kyle Basauri(Die Happy, Joshua Perahia), guitarist-Chris Howell Sorenson(Fear Not), bassist-Greg Chaisson(Die Happy, Badlands), drummer-Jeff Martin(Racer X, Badlands) and producer-P.K. Mitchell(Neon Cross).
The idea for the album's title is found in the title-cut's lyrics which state : "Cover my life with the blood". The idea behind these lyrics is taken from scriptures as seen in Romans 5:8-9 "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God."
This debut release could be considered an all-star project due to its roster, as mentioned above, featuring musicians from some well know acts like vocalist-Robyn Kyle Basauri(Die Happy, Joshua Perahia), guitarist-Chris Howell Sorenson(Fear Not), bassist-Greg Chaisson(Die Happy, Badlands), drummer-Jeff Martin(Racer X, Badlands) and producer-P.K. Mitchell(Neon Cross).
The idea for the album's title is found in the title-cut's lyrics which state : "Cover my life with the blood". The idea behind these lyrics is taken from scriptures as seen in Romans 5:8-9 "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God."
Frontman-Robyn 'Kyle' Basauri, having cut his teeth with the bands Die Happy and Joshua Perahia, draws comparison to vocalist-Ray Gillen(Badlands) and Steve Snyder(Arch Rival). Kyle Basauri's heartfelt bluesy delivery is not only impressive but timeless to say the least.
Chris Howell Sorensen(Fear Not) handles guitars for Red Sea and without doubt, this release showcases some of his best work to date!
Having listened to this incredible release by Red Sea, there are some questions that remain like why did the band's debut album not get the attention it deserved? Was their release buried in a market inundated by a surge of Rock/Metal bands from the 80's & 90's? Did the group go unnoticed due to the Grunge era which was taking over at the time? Did the band fly under the radar due to a record label that wasn't sure how to promote a christian Metal band? Or, could it have been all of the above?
Not long after the release of Red Seas' debut, the album went out of print and became a highly sought after gem that has proven to be difficult to find.
Not long after the release of Red Seas' debut, the album went out of print and became a highly sought after gem that has proven to be difficult to find.
In 2019 Red Sea's 1994 debut full-length album was remastered and reissued on Roxx Records. After having been burried for more than 25 years in the dark depths of the sea, this out of print highly sought after artifact has once again seen the light of day. This 2019 remaster is a limited edition CD housed in a jewel case and comes complete with a 12 page booklet including lyrics & previously unreleased photos. The remastered tracks are courtesy of Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound and one will notice that the guitars, bass, and drums are now more pronounced in the band's arrangements. In addition, the album's cover art received a needed face lift which was handled by Scott Waters(Ultimatum) of No Life Til Metal.
Lyrics are not overly preachy however they are evangelical
and thought provoking as one can see in the following excerpts:
and thought provoking as one can see in the following excerpts:
"Blood"
Now take a look around you
Tell me what it is you see
I see the masses crying out to be set free
Can you feel it coming?
In the name of love
I see a new day dawning
Rolling like a river, flowing to a sea of…
Blood, blood, blood
Cover my life with the blood
Blood, blood, blood
Cover my life with the blood
"Wolves At The Door"
Take it or leave it
The truth, the life, the way
You'd better believe it
The truth, the life, the way
Take it or leave it
The truth, the life, the way
You'd better believe it
Lord, Lord save this poor gone soul
"Dust To Dust"
Take these fears that bind me
Lord, I can't use them any more
Life so cold I feel
My prayers don't reach the sky no more
Formed from the dust of earth and water
You kissed the breath of life into me
I've held the hand that holds back the reins
And it set me free to rest in peace
Dust to dust
"Hell Bound Train"
(This track is a continuation of track-7 "Shades Of Purple")
All aboard the Hell-bound train
As it burns on down the track
Leaving gold and good behind
Because they won't be coming back
The souls depart at the midnight hour
On a one-way ticket down
Severed from this mortal coil
Never to be found
Burnin', burnin' alive
Burnin', no one survives this ride
The Helltrain runs through the night
The wheels keep turning
The fires keep burning...
"Losin' My Way"
The blood red moon cracks the midnight sky
Over a sea of shadows where the lonely spirits cry
I see the sun dying, losing its light
But it's alright
Watching the signs, counting the days
Watching the world pass away
I believe in Your ways
'Till the end of my days
You are my shelter
To You I pray when I'm losin', losin' my way
Now take a look around you
Tell me what it is you see
I see the masses crying out to be set free
Can you feel it coming?
In the name of love
I see a new day dawning
Rolling like a river, flowing to a sea of…
Blood, blood, blood
Cover my life with the blood
Blood, blood, blood
Cover my life with the blood
"Wolves At The Door"
Take it or leave it
The truth, the life, the way
You'd better believe it
The truth, the life, the way
Take it or leave it
The truth, the life, the way
You'd better believe it
Lord, Lord save this poor gone soul
"Dust To Dust"
Take these fears that bind me
Lord, I can't use them any more
Life so cold I feel
My prayers don't reach the sky no more
Formed from the dust of earth and water
You kissed the breath of life into me
I've held the hand that holds back the reins
And it set me free to rest in peace
Dust to dust
"Hell Bound Train"
(This track is a continuation of track-7 "Shades Of Purple")
All aboard the Hell-bound train
As it burns on down the track
Leaving gold and good behind
Because they won't be coming back
The souls depart at the midnight hour
On a one-way ticket down
Severed from this mortal coil
Never to be found
Burnin', burnin' alive
Burnin', no one survives this ride
The Helltrain runs through the night
The wheels keep turning
The fires keep burning...
"Losin' My Way"
The blood red moon cracks the midnight sky
Over a sea of shadows where the lonely spirits cry
I see the sun dying, losing its light
But it's alright
Watching the signs, counting the days
Watching the world pass away
I believe in Your ways
'Till the end of my days
You are my shelter
To You I pray when I'm losin', losin' my way
Red Sea is for fans of Die Happy, Badlands, Blindside Blues Band, and Deep Purple. If you like Bluesy Hard Rock or Heavy Metal then you are going to love what Red Sea has offered up with their debut 'Blood'. No Metal collection would be considered complete without this solid offering by Red Sea.
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Robin 'Kyle' Basauri(Die Happy, Joshua Perahia) - Lead Vocals
Chris Howell Sorensen(Fear Not) - Guitars, Dobro, 12-string Acoustic and Slide
Greg Chaisson(Die Happy, Badlands) - Bass
Jeff Martin(Racer X, Badlands) - Drums
Robin 'Kyle' Basauri(Die Happy, Joshua Perahia) - Lead Vocals
Chris Howell Sorensen(Fear Not) - Guitars, Dobro, 12-string Acoustic and Slide
Greg Chaisson(Die Happy, Badlands) - Bass
Jeff Martin(Racer X, Badlands) - Drums