Written In Red
Hailing from Gillette, Wyoming 'Written In Red' formed back in 2011 by lead Vocalist Ben Rose and Bassist Shaun Collins who had both been part of many different bands over the previous 17 years. Ben and Shaun joined forces and promptly decided to contact Steve Nichols(Guitarist), Mike Fridley(Guitarist), & Ty Hilbert(Drums) to see if they were interested in filling the other available positions. Now with five members, the band was ready to take on the difficult task of deciding on a band name. After moiling over various names, the band decided to go with the name 'Written In Red' with the meaning being that the words of Christ, as found in the Bible, are written in red.
WIR has already gotten their feet wet by sharing the stage with some big name artists such as We As Human, Thousand Foot Krutch, Disciple, Righteous Vendetta, and many more. In addition to the previous mentioned accolades, they were also given a spot on the Rapid Fire Stage back in 2014 at the Hills Alive event.
WIR has already gotten their feet wet by sharing the stage with some big name artists such as We As Human, Thousand Foot Krutch, Disciple, Righteous Vendetta, and many more. In addition to the previous mentioned accolades, they were also given a spot on the Rapid Fire Stage back in 2014 at the Hills Alive event.
In 2015, Indie band 'Written In Red' released their debut album called 'Not My Home' which was recorded at Black Earth Sound in Gellette, Wy and then it was mixed and mastered by Jake Jones Productions. Concerning the album artwork and its meaning, in an interview at jesusfreakhideout the band states: "With the cross prevailing over the city, it helps us remember to keep our eyes vertical."
With the release of 'Not My Home' we find the band playing Hard Rock with some Metal tracks mixed in giving this release a more diversified overall sound. The album starts out with an intro that quickly lets you know the band's biblical stance. Then there are seven intense barn burners that light things up and will get you moving. Track no. 9 sets things straight with a Progressive Praise tune called 'Yahweh' which is very well done if I might add. And last of all, we have a closing track called "Not My Home" which is the acoustic version of track two. I would had rather seen another barn burner that stokes the fire again after the slower praise tune however, I'm sure that some will appreciate this track.
With the release of 'Not My Home' we find the band playing Hard Rock with some Metal tracks mixed in giving this release a more diversified overall sound. The album starts out with an intro that quickly lets you know the band's biblical stance. Then there are seven intense barn burners that light things up and will get you moving. Track no. 9 sets things straight with a Progressive Praise tune called 'Yahweh' which is very well done if I might add. And last of all, we have a closing track called "Not My Home" which is the acoustic version of track two. I would had rather seen another barn burner that stokes the fire again after the slower praise tune however, I'm sure that some will appreciate this track.
Front-man Ben Rose has a Vocal delivery that transcends several decades as one can easily draw comparisons with some top 80's Arena Rock Vocalists yet still appealing to those who like vocal styles from the 90's all the way up to modern day times. There are a few tracks where Ben even comes across as sounding similar to Vocalist Jon Micah Sumrall(Kutless). Yes, what we find is that Rose delivers up diversity from track to track that helps keep repeat listens enjoyable. Within the production of independently produced bands, we often find a disconnect from the Vocalist and the music. With that said, Written In Red has managed to overcome this dilemma in their production as we find Rose sounding crisp & clearly connected to what's happening in the music.
When it comes to Metal, if a band has one guitarist, the music can still sound good but when a band has two guitarist, we find more dimension as the band Rocks even harder. However, what happens when you have three guitarists laying down riffs? Well to answer the question, what you get is an over-the-top power house of a band who is unlimited to what they can do and achieve. The axe bearers for Written In Red are as follows: Ben Rose, Steven Nichols, and Mike Fridley. The guitar work on 'Not My Home' proves to be heavy & crunchy running the gamut of styles as they go from driving Power to Thrash to general 80's and 90's era noodling and then rounding it all out with some acoustic guitar play. Even though this is their first release, the guitar work is top notch and sounds as if our dynamic threesome have been hacking away with their axes for quite some time prior. Some of the solos are killer that easily draw comparison to some big name axe wielders of the 80's so grab your air guitars and get ready for the ride.
Shaun Collins is our Bassist and he does a good job of holding his own here as he lays down his bass lines helping to add to the fullness of the album.
Ty Hilbert shows that he doesn't let the skins intimidate him as we find him getting after this wild animal & skinning it alive. The drums have enough time changes to keep the tracks interesting while he rocks it out more in an 80's era drumming styles.
When we examine the lyrics on the album 'Not My Home', there's little doubt to whom the band is serving and their love for others as we can see in the following tunes:
When it comes to Metal, if a band has one guitarist, the music can still sound good but when a band has two guitarist, we find more dimension as the band Rocks even harder. However, what happens when you have three guitarists laying down riffs? Well to answer the question, what you get is an over-the-top power house of a band who is unlimited to what they can do and achieve. The axe bearers for Written In Red are as follows: Ben Rose, Steven Nichols, and Mike Fridley. The guitar work on 'Not My Home' proves to be heavy & crunchy running the gamut of styles as they go from driving Power to Thrash to general 80's and 90's era noodling and then rounding it all out with some acoustic guitar play. Even though this is their first release, the guitar work is top notch and sounds as if our dynamic threesome have been hacking away with their axes for quite some time prior. Some of the solos are killer that easily draw comparison to some big name axe wielders of the 80's so grab your air guitars and get ready for the ride.
Shaun Collins is our Bassist and he does a good job of holding his own here as he lays down his bass lines helping to add to the fullness of the album.
Ty Hilbert shows that he doesn't let the skins intimidate him as we find him getting after this wild animal & skinning it alive. The drums have enough time changes to keep the tracks interesting while he rocks it out more in an 80's era drumming styles.
When we examine the lyrics on the album 'Not My Home', there's little doubt to whom the band is serving and their love for others as we can see in the following tunes:
"Not My Home"
This world is falling to pieces
Without You in it we are bound to die
The nooses hang by the lie of the lawless
Tooth for and eye for an eye
Your grace covers
& Your love will set me free
I have no power it is all thru You
So guide my heart and show me truth
We fight for love
We fight for life
We fight for all this in the name of Christ
This is not my home
This is not where I belong
How long must we wait for Your return
This notion's ashes are filling my urn
I will walk in the steps of the righteous
& I will bow to the one true God
We fight for love
We fight for life
We fight for all this in the name of Christ
This is not my home
This is not where I belong
"Yahweh"
God You are worthy of all our praise
We'll lift up and shout Your name
And like the seraphim around Your throne
We'll cry Holy Holy to Lord of hosts
No one is like You Lord
You are great and Your name is powerful
Yahweh, Yahweh
Holy is Your name
We'll sing, Yahweh, Yahweh
Holy is Your name
Holy is Your name
Jesus name is strength when I'm not strong
I'll call on the Lord most high
And Holy Spirit shine, light on this place
And teach us the power of your Great name
No one is like You Lord
You are great and your name is powerful
Majestic and holy
Awesome in glory
You alone are God
Great among the nations
Maker of creation
You alone are God
This world is falling to pieces
Without You in it we are bound to die
The nooses hang by the lie of the lawless
Tooth for and eye for an eye
Your grace covers
& Your love will set me free
I have no power it is all thru You
So guide my heart and show me truth
We fight for love
We fight for life
We fight for all this in the name of Christ
This is not my home
This is not where I belong
How long must we wait for Your return
This notion's ashes are filling my urn
I will walk in the steps of the righteous
& I will bow to the one true God
We fight for love
We fight for life
We fight for all this in the name of Christ
This is not my home
This is not where I belong
"Yahweh"
God You are worthy of all our praise
We'll lift up and shout Your name
And like the seraphim around Your throne
We'll cry Holy Holy to Lord of hosts
No one is like You Lord
You are great and Your name is powerful
Yahweh, Yahweh
Holy is Your name
We'll sing, Yahweh, Yahweh
Holy is Your name
Holy is Your name
Jesus name is strength when I'm not strong
I'll call on the Lord most high
And Holy Spirit shine, light on this place
And teach us the power of your Great name
No one is like You Lord
You are great and your name is powerful
Majestic and holy
Awesome in glory
You alone are God
Great among the nations
Maker of creation
You alone are God
If you like bands that are able to capture the nostalgia of the 80's arena Rock bands yet also implement newer Rock styles that can appeal to the more modern Rocker, then you are in for a treat here with Written In Red. So do yourself a favor by picking up some new music to add to your collection all the while helping support this new band.
Musicians:
Ben Rose-Lead Vocals, Guitars
Steven Nichols-Guitars, Keyboards
Mike Fridley-Guitars
Shaun Collins-Bass
Ty Hilbert-Drums
Ben Rose-Lead Vocals, Guitars
Steven Nichols-Guitars, Keyboards
Mike Fridley-Guitars
Shaun Collins-Bass
Ty Hilbert-Drums