I’ll admit for having a bit of a soft spot for Sweden’s Deranged, because their self titled fourth album, was one of my very first reviews for digitalmetal, and I conversed with drummer Richard Wermen for quite a bit after that. So, I was a bit upset when I heard that this album was be the long running band’s swansong after Wermen decided to call it a day.

Deranged has always been one of those under the radar bands that works tirelessly, without fanfare or glamour, but released 7 quality albums when its all said and done. None of them are albums that redefined death metal, but all were albums that death metal fans should check out for no frills, well done death metal that’s sits squarely astride brutal and catchy.

In its overall sound, Red Light sounds like the self titled effort than any other album, its cleaner, more polished and has than very slight Gothenburg under current beneath its hack and slash visage, and it takes a step back in savagery from Plainfield Cemetery (I never heard Obscenities in B Flat). Still, the consistent visceral tightness displayed by Wermen and co on all 9 tracks is a serviceable and enjoyable romp through a fairly distinct sound in death metal.

The gait of the album is pretty constant throughout its 35 minute duration making for a ‘samey’ breeze of ferocious but not quite “broodle” death metal album, but some occasional grooves break up the pace once in a while like “The Killer Wore Black Gloves”. For the most part though, The Red Light squeals and slices at a fair pace as opener “Watch Me When I Kill”, “Gently Before She Dies”, “The Red Light Murder Case”, “So Sweet , So Dead” and especially “Formula For a Murder” and closer “Body Puzzle” show with the simplicity and effectiveness as a scalpel across the jugular. The end result is unspectacular but biting album of no nonsense death metal free from breakdowns or overly complex wankery just feral savage simplicity and scope-as are all of Deranged’s albums.

So Richard, now you have some free time on your hands, when can we expect another Killaman album?

[Visit the band's website]

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