December in Red has released The Way Out and this album isn't for easy listening music fans. This is an aggressive, hard-hitting and ear-piercing take on what hard rock/metal can sound like in 2015. For fans who love to attend heavy metal shows in person, this is an album for you. While going from track to track on The Way Out it feels like a live concert in which the audience is front and center in the middle of mosh pit.
December in Red has been developing their sound since they formed back in 2009. The band has been averaging over sixty shows a year. This is a group that wants to be in front of fans and playing live. That energy and passion for being on the road can be felt within the tracks featured on The Way Out.
The Way Out opens with "The Call." "The Call" sets the tone for the album and feels like the soundtrack to the opening credits of a horror movie. This is a unique way to start an album. The instrumentals slowly build and gain momentum, the way this song is structured it builds anticipation for the rest of the album. December in Red is a heavy metal band, but this opening makes the album feel like something different and more creative than just head banging music.
"The Call" seamlessly transitions into "Hooks and Splatters." Lead singer, Del, shows off his range which includes singing and screaming. The whole album isn't full of screaming, this is the type of album that a new heavy metal fan could ease into. It samples from a few different genres and feels like a more modern take on heavy metal.
The Way Out feels like a set list from a live show recorded and that captures the band at its natural state. They have energy, passion and aggressive. Everything needed to have a successful heavy metal album.
Other stand out tracks on The Way Out include, "Arrested on Sight," "Send Me A Postcard" and "Don't Look So Surprised."
December in Red has currently been touring in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California but with this album hopefully the band will look to extend their tour and bring their sound to different states all across the United States.