Red Method: As in Life
London-based band Red Method are back with a vengeance, prepared to release their new, killer EP As in Life on the 17 July under their own independent record label, Depraved Records. Being their most major piece of music since the release of their debut album For the Sick in 2020, fans have been highly anticipating this new drop. With the temptations of the singles released so far, As in Life is shaping up to be one of the most influential releases within the industrial-groove metal scene at the moment, covering honest and open topics such as mental suffering through dark themes.
Opening with the latest and most anticipated single to be released, ‘Counting Corpses’ immediately establishes the EP’s overarching themes of broken power dynamics, oppression and the very real conflicts present within society – from propaganda to the way power is often represented through monetary value. Crafted as a track that invites listeners to connect with its message, it stands as a true powerhouse in both meaning and execution. Instrumentally, the song mirrors this intensity, with Yacka, David Tobin on guitars and James Perry on drums delivering a raw and authentic sound that feels both urgent and immersive. Their combined performance creates a powerful sense of engagement, making ‘Counting Corpses’ a fitting and unforgettable opening statement for an already impressive EP.
Following this explosive opening, the EP moves into ‘All For One, None For All’, a single originally released back in 2024 that now serves as its centrepiece. Featuring metal revolutionaries Bloodywood, the track delivers exactly the kind of intensity expected from such a collaboration, combining J S.A.N.G.R.E’s commanding hardcore vocals with layered backing melodies that add a sense of symphonic scale to the song’s already powerful foundation. Alongside equally forceful instrumentation, the track builds toward a vicious breakdown that amplifies its emotional weight, bringing its honest and deeply personal exploration of religion to the forefront.
The EP’s fourth track, ‘Detonate’, continues this momentum with an explosive energy that lives up to its name. From the moment J S.A.N.G.R.E’s vocals burst into the track, it establishes a sense of urgency, with the contrast between his clean vocals and the instrumentation of the chorus creating a distinctive dynamic. This intensity reaches its peak during the closing breakdown, where dramatic instrumentals collide with spoken vocals that paint a picture of societal chaos and instability. True to its title, ‘Detonate’ captures the feeling of a situation on the verge of collapse, as though the final spark before everything erupts is rapidly approaching.
The final track on the EP takes a completely different approach from the jump, titled ‘The Revolting Self’. Rather than relying on intense instrumentals, there is a soft piano melody accompanied by quieter, gentler vocals, with simple yet powerful lyrics. The track is on the shorter side, running for only about a minute and a half; however, its change of pace beautifully ties off the EP.
Overall, Red Method’s upcoming EP is truly something to be excited for, unapologetically touching on subjects that aren’t brought to light often enough. The band have worked their magic by putting their own spin on these themes, resulting in an EP filled with powerful messages for listeners to become captivated by.