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The Crimson

Portrait Killed The Artist
2005
Barely Breathing

The Crimson - Portrait Killed The Artist (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Meg
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Published on April 1st 2005

With a name like the Crimson, it's not easy to keep an open mind before listening. Such words come to mind as: death, blood, murder, kill -- you know, all of today's popular, "kewl" themes. But on the contrary, all assumptions are wiped away the moment Portrait Killed The Artist plays.

A seemingly hardcore, borderline metalcore album without melodic vocal interludes? There's a shock. The absence of melodic vocals continues until halfway through the record's third track, "Wake Up Joan Rivers, The 60's Are Over." Despite the brief but still unpleasant melodic vocal interlude, the Crimson continue with a solid, cleanly produced sound.

Another cliché of metalcore? Sound clips. Yes, the Crimson feature a few sound clips, but not to the point where one just might watch a handful of movies and get the same effect as the CD*. "Red Light Nightmares" is something you need to hear to understand why I enjoy it so much.

Portrait Killed The Artist continues its unique flare with the final track, "Closure & Solace," in which the sound soley consists of an old fashioned-sounding piano recorded on vinyl. Mikey Ruiz, front man of the Crimson, has noted, "We don't try to stick to any genre...," and while very few bands probably try sticking to one genre, the Crimson do a good job of not being tied down to one label. This Orange County band is definitely something to keep an eye on in the future.

* - Writer does, in fact, enjoy noted band.

MP3s
Deathbed
Love Like Eden
Diana Ross Killed My Baby

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 at 3:44 PM (EDT)

Good Review

Posted by moneenerd on 2005-04-05 14:52:11

i keep getting these guys mixed up with The Crimson Curse, that had members of The Locust in it, but you know... way better than The Locust.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 at 6:23 AM (EDT)

Worst thing that ever happened to me quote besides being from fight club is from a Boys Night Out song.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 4, 2005 at 4:15 PM (EDT)

i can remember that "you're the worst thing" line too...

for one, it was in fight club, but everybody prolly already knew that... i also remember hearing it but can't remember where the hell from

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 4, 2005 at 4:05 PM (EDT)

Wake up The Crimson, your band is lame.

Posted by inagreendase on 2005-04-04 00:06:45

Nic, you can sign your name on the other 3 anonymous posts you made too, you know.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 3, 2005 at 1:59 PM (EDT)

The CRIMSON mother fucking owns. nic.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 2, 2005 at 10:08 PM (EST)

that song deathbed starts with "your the worst thing that ever happend to me"

i swear ive heard that in another bands song, but i cant think of it, somebody help! im gona go nuts

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 2, 2005 at 7:59 PM (EST)
My Score:

this whole cd is fricken awesome. i really enjoy the music they write

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 2, 2005 at 4:57 PM (EST)
My Score:

: )

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 2, 2005 at 1:34 AM (EST)

Sick mosh, bro

Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-04-01 21:47:37

bands love the word "crimson"

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 1, 2005 at 6:22 PM (EST)
My Score:

I'm loving these songs!

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 1, 2005 at 6:19 PM (EST)

Wow, this band is really good

Posted by Inspection12e on 2005-04-01 13:24:33
My Score:

More generic metalcore please!

Posted by Sally_Field on 2005-04-01 12:18:59

"Such words come to mind as: death, blood, murder, kill.... But on the contrary, all assumptions are wiped away the moment Portrait Killed The Artist plays."

How is that contrary? look at the name.

The statement means that I had a preconcieved notion of how the band would sound just because their name contained the word "Crimson," yet another ominous, death-dealing word.

It was on the contrary that the band wasn't horrendously predictable and bad, in my opinion. It surprised me.

PAYCE.

Posted by bannedinct on 2005-04-01 09:54:14
My Score:

Score is for the artwork ripping off Senses Fail. And come on, guys. Senses Fail? That's pretty low.

Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2005-04-01 01:13:01

Did you like them? Did you really like them?

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 1, 2005 at 12:38 AM (EST)

"Such words come to mind as: death, blood, murder, kill.... But on the contrary, all assumptions are wiped away the moment Portrait Killed The Artist plays."

How is that contrary? look at the name.