Razed by Rebels - Broken Paradigm
Tune into Razed by Rebels's sharp, industrial rock album, 'The Broken Paradigm'! The Texas-based rock group, headed by Jason Winfield, leans into dark, dystopian alt-rock that is evocative and downright chilling. The album's tonality and feel lies somewhere between Nine Inch Nails, Muse, and SOAD. Grand, cinematic rock ballads that hit hard and true. While Jason is the driving force behind Razed by Rebels, it's his connection and collaboration with various artists and engineers on the creation of 'Broken Paradigm' that makes it such a compelling, varied listen. Although the overall album stays true to Jason's razor-sharp, industrial hard rock energy, each one hits differently because of the collaborative approach chosen here. We open with 'Until It's Over', an immersive dystopian commentary that sounds like it should be the score to a TRON movie. Loaded with rebellious lyricism, heavy hypnotizing dub-rock melodies, melancholic harmonies, and a general disposition for revolution. Hope Irish's supporting vocals make it feel like an urgent conversation to be had. A stirring reminder to not give into the overarching evil that seeks to doom us all. Reminds us of Muse of 'Uprising', its a track that gets you amped and hyper-aware. Next, we have a reimagination of one of our favorite Marilyn Manson tracks, 'The Nobodies'. Razed by Rebels do such a great job with this reimagination. Honoring the original's slow-burning, emotional build up with a melancholic piano melody. Alva Slim's yearning vocals singing 'We are the nobodies', evoking sharp nostalgic feelings while keeping true to the original's gripping emotional core. 'Beware the Hunters' highlights Razed by Rebels' experimental, modern rock approach. It's a track that exudes a metallic, original personality, conveying a range of emotions through its cinematic, jagged alt-rock arrangements. 'Shattered Eyes' slows down a bit into more evocative, rhythmic, and melodious territory. A somber, almost emo-reaching track that screams rebellion. Strong lyricism, clearly written to hit a nerve, to evoke emotions of anger and uprising. The layered, tuned-up vocals disturb and rock you in the right measures. Halfway into the album now, 'A Way Through' suspends you in a weightless state. Its a beautifully composed track, gentle, evocative, and minimal. Perfecting the balance of everything that came before it. Speaks volumes to the Rebels's approcah to guiding listeners through the album with varied tonality and styles. 'Hiding Within' has us amped back up again. Zooming effects immediately raise your heartbeat, leading you into an excellent industrial rock arrangement. Very Rammstein-esque. Urgent, Hard-Hitting, and Irresistible. Headbang away! 'Together We've Lost' feels like you're approaching the end now. Cinematic, evoking a sense of unease with its slow-burning riffs, and excellent echoing vocals from Alexandra. Its a track that makes you reflect on all of humanity's horrors and ponder how we managed to fall so low. The final track, 'Heaven's Gate' feels like a full-circle kind of moment. Again, it builds theatrically, as if to let you know that we're in the endgame now. The urgent, despairing vocals make you really feel that this is the last stand. The final, heavy, industrial rock arrangements keep you hanging on the razor's edge till the very last notes. 'Broken Paradigm' is an impressive work of tracks, each storied and diverse, but together they convey a compelling, albeit unsettling, emotion. Razed by Rebels delivers a stirring collection that ignites a fire within, no doubt. This is an album that would a excellent score to a sci-fi, dystopian movie like 'V for Vendetta'
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