Arts & Entertainment
 

Scarlet's return is metallic 'Classic'

Metallic-hardcore fans can witness the return of an icon as band finally reunites

By Ian McDonald
The Daily Cougar

Four years ago, fans suffered the breakup of the gritty rock ensemble Scarlet, a staple in metallic-hardcore (not to be confused with heavy metal). Scarlet helped to nurture the growing popularity of the genre during its infancy through the late 1990s and into 2000. Unfortunately, the end of the century also marked Scarlet's division. During the band's last tour, in their hometown of Richmond, Va., fans were shocked when Scarlet announced the unexpected breakup. 

Scarlet's demise triggered the bereavement of nearly the entire metallic-hardcore movement. However, in late 2002 a majority of the original members rose from their stagnant solo projects and reformed the band. The band's plan to violently jolt metallic-hardcore out of its dormancy went underway in 2003. Finally, the revolutionary "we're back" album, Cult Classic, was unleashed via Ferret Records.

Watch out boys and girls, this is the type of music your parents warned you about. Scarlet created Cult Classic with one ideal in mind -- to reintroduce its aggressive return with an uninhibited orgy of panic and intensity that would reshape the face of metallic-hardcore. On their quest to both entertain their fans and offend the rest, Cult Classic strives to nail every controversial topic to its name.

The reinvented band's message is clear with songs like "Get Your Gun," "Sinning By Your Side" and "No One's Getting Out Alive." Jon Spencer spews graphic lyrics that range in topic anywhere from teenage sexuality to drugs and violence. The eighth track, "Nymphoteens," preaches poetry so graphic that no public media channel would be allowed to recite it.

Spencer's screams of sex and ultra-violence are complimented appropriately with an exaggerated metallic sound, similar to that of a hypothetical union between Slipknot and Nine Inch Nails. The rest of Scarlet seems to use the instruments as a tool to effectively spotlight Spencer's unique lyrical design. The band's intensity takes a gradual slide downward as the album progresses from song to song.

The initial four or five tracks utilize their aggressive rock potential in a flurry of rapid drum blows and well-timed distortion. Halfway through the LP, bassist Chris Hagan takes the position of the main rhythm section player, especially in "Human Pollen," where the primary instruments heard are a bass guitar and electronics.

In the last few of the 16 songs, the ferocity takes a break while the overall uncensored message remains strong. "My Black Hole Girl" and "You're My Fix" are by far the tamest tracks on the LP and seem to touch a personal chord with the band.

Cult Classic is definitely an appropriate title, being that most of its listeners will already be part of a cult following, and will be familiar with the band's graphic musical philosophy. In other words, the average rock fan may want to test the waters of the metallic-hardcore style in general before jumping into this one. Cult Classic is not for the faint of heart.

Scarlet

Cult Classic

Ferret Records

The Verdict: Hey kids, can you spell V-I-O-L-E-N-T? It might not be revolutionary, but it's good rock nonetheless.

 Send comments to dcshobiz@mail.uh.edu