The Red Chord is an American grindcore band from Revere, Massachusetts, formed in 1999. The band comprises vocalist Guy Kozowyk, guitarist Mike McKenzie, bassist Greg Weeks and drummer Brad Fickeisen. The Red Chord has released three studio albums and toured in North America and Europe.

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History

The Red Chord was formed in Revere, Massachusetts in 1999 by vocalist Guy Kozowyk and guitarist Kevin Rampelberg. One year later, the band was joined by second guitarist Mike McKenzie ("Gunface"), bassist Adam Wentworth and drummer Mike Justain. ^[1] The band's name is derived from Alban Berg's opera Wozzeck , "in which a schizophrenic man slits his lover's throat, then reverts to his normal self and asks, "My love, what is that red cord across your neck?"." ^[2] The debut album Fused Together in Revolving Doors was recorded with producer Andrew Schneider in December of 2001 and released by Robotic Empire record label.

In early 2004, Wentworth and Justain announced their withdrawal from The Red Chord and the band found replacements in bassist Gregory Weeks and drummer Jon Dow. In April that year, The Red Chord toured with Six Feet Under and others. The debut album was re-released with demo tracks, a full concert performance and the video clip for "Dreaming In Dog Years". In March, the band signed to a subsidiary of Metal Blade, Black Market Activities, a heavy metal record label run by Kozowyk and Wentworth. John Longstreth replaced Dow in May but exited in September. The Red Chord entered Planet Z Studios in Hadley, Massachusetts on November 1 with Brad Fickeisen as a new drummer and recorded their second album Clients , ^[3] which subsequently sold over 30,000 copies in the US. ^[4]

2005 started with American tours and resumed on European tours in December. The band filmed a promotional video for the track "Antman" with director Dave Brodsky. The tour continued in North America through February 2006 until Ozzfest in June. In February 2007, guitarist Jonny Fay decided to quit the band ^[5] and was replaced by Mike Keller. In May 2007, the band went on another tour to Europe. The third album, Prey for Eyes , was released on July 24. The group parted ways with guitarist Mike Keller in early September and decided not to replace him.

The fourth upcoming studio album, Fed Through The Teeth Machine , was recorded in early to mid-2009 at Backyard Studios in Milford, New Hampshire, which is owned by the band's former guitarist Jonny Fay. ^[6] The album is planned to be released in fall 2009. Kozowyk says the new songs are more intense and mature than those the previous album. "It's faster and heavier, but it's definitely groove-oriented and melodic where it needs to be," he commented. ^[7]

Musical style

The Red Chord is a grindcore-based band, while their style incorporates also death metal, deathgrind, deathcore, metalcore and hardcore. ^{[8] [9] [10] [11] [12]} The band typically uses frequent tempo changes, technically proficient instrumental approach and emphasizes the element of groove in their music. ^{[13] [14]} The vocal style of Kozowyk, who is the primary author of The Red Chord's music, combines death metal's guttural growl with metalcore-style screaming, uses occasional spoken word and is rather decipherable. As a vocal influence, Kozowyk points out Frank Mullen from Suffocation, Black Sabbath as one of his musical influences and Faith No More as a lyrical inspiration. PopMatters states that "The Red Chord has become renowned for its sense of humor" exemplified by the video .

Members

;Current members Guy Kozowyk - vocals (1999-present) Mike McKenzie ("Gunface") - guitar, backing vocals (2000-present) Gregory Weeks - bass guitar (2004-present) Brad Fickeisen - drums (2004-present)

;Former members Kevin Rampelberg - guitar (2000–?) Jonny Fay - guitar (?–2007) Mike Keller - guitar (2007–2008) Mike Justian - drums (2000–2004) John Longstreth - drums (2004) Jon Dow - drums (2004) Adam Wentworth - bass (2000–2004)

Discography

• Fused Together in Revolving Doors (2002)
• Clients (2005)
• Prey for Eyes (2007)
• Fed Through the Teeth Machine (2009)

References

1. The Red Chord Biography
2. Clients review, Stylus Magazine
3. The Red Chord Biography
4. The Red Chord interview, Stylus Magazine
5. THE RED CHORD Parts Ways With Guitarist, Seeks Replacement - Feb. 15, 2007, Blabbermouth.net
6. THE RED CHORD: New Album Title Revealed - June 13, 2009, THE RED CHORD Parts Ways With Guitarist, Seeks Replacement - Feb. 15, 2007, Blabbermouth.net
7. The Red Chord: Pro-Shot Footage Of Rock am Bach Performance Available - Aug. 3, 2009
8. Clients review
9. Clients, Blabbermouth.net
10. Fused Together In Revolving Doors, Exclaim!
11. Prey For Eyes, Exclaim!
12. Bruce Willis, Genghis Khan, and Ravioli: Inside the Red Chord’s Prey for Eyes, PopMatters
13. Prey For Eyes, Blabbermouth.net
14. Clients, Exclaim!