Behind Crimson Eyes

Unless you have been on a space shuttle trip to Mars for the last several months, there is no way that you could not have heard of Behind Crimson Eyes. And even then, one would have to question if you had still not actually heard of them. You see, Behind Crimson Eyes are one of those rare bands that have been so hyped up by word-of-mouth, not just record label advertising, that their name is everywhere you turn. And it is hard for even band vocalist, Josh Stuart, to disagree.

"I think a lot of people are talking about the band, which is always good. For us it's been a building process over the last few years so it's not like we are an overnight success or anything like that. I feel that we have pretty much got what we set out to achieve in the beginning, though. I would say we are certainly on track with our goals. It is crazy, though - I just don't get it sometimes. But it is a good feeling, you have to admit."

And this is all before their debut album, 'A Revelation For Despair', has even been released. No wonder the band is just a little more than excited by their success.

"We have actually just put it [the album] up on MySpace last Friday," confesses the vocalist, "the entire album is there for everyone to listen to. So it is not as nerve racking as if we hadn't had it up there. I mean, this way we get to get a feel for what people will think of it when it comes out in stores. But we have been getting positive feedback from everyone, which is cool. It's a bit of a change from our previous music but people are looking forward to buying the album it seems."

Hang on a minute. Did he say that the band had put their entire new album on the Internet? Surely this can't be the case, after all, isn't that just asking to be shot in the foot? So aren't the band afraid that people won't just um, download it all for free? Not so, as the front-man explains to this less-than-technologically-minded journo.

"MySpace has done it really well," Stuart reasons. "you can only stream the tracks so you can't actually download them. You can't skip tracks or forward tracks so you would have to listen to it in its entirety."

And with that rationalisation it obviously makes sense. And maybe it's like an uncanny marketing technique as well. After all, real fans of the band - the so-called 'die-hards' - will no doubt be grateful to hear all of the songs beforehand, but still be the first to rush out and buy the actual album on its first day of release.

Of course, while the Internet can be a useful tool for many up-and-coming bands, it can also be somewhat of a burden - take the tendency of critics to pigeon-hole all young MySpace bands, for an example. So, when it comes to labels, how would Stuart categorise his own band?

"Actually, I'm not really sure," is the front-man's honest response. "Our label guy at Roadrunner likes to call us 'alternative metal' but I am not so sure about that. But whatever label you put us under, people will still pigeonhole the band. I would say heavy rock myself."

Another area that Behind Crimson Eyes have decided to move on in is their lyrics - something which most bands within their genre don't take the time to think about very much, it seems.

"Lyrically, I took a bit of a different stance this time, I thought I would tackle certain issues like rape, child abuse and violence in relationships and at the end it turned out to be more of a concept album. Hopefully the lyrics will have people talking outside the realm of the usual things."

There is no doubt this band has worked hard for its success. As they mention on their website, it can sometimes take up to five albums for a band to break through the mainstream - and in this respect, Behind Crimson Eyes have been fortunate.

So, if you have just landed from that shuttle trip to Mars, make sure the first thing you do is go and check these guys out live.

Mark Grimshaw

dB Magazine proudly presents Behind Crimson Eyes at the Governor Hindmarsh on Fri 1 December with Horsell Common and Mourning Tide. 'A Revelation For Despair' is out now through Roadrunner.