BEYOND THE SIXTH SEAL is the decidedly more Metal side project of RED CHORD members Mike McKenzie (guitars and vocals here) and Gregory Weeks (bass here). Drummer Brendan Roche completes the three-piece. "The Resurrection Of Everything Tough" is their Metal Blade debut. BEYOND THE SIXTH SEAL has delivered an above average Garage Thrash offering (nothing "retro" about it, though) that simply rocks. It is critic-proof. This is the sound of three guys having fun away from their more pressure-pressed outfit, THE RED CHORD, getting away from the Ozzfests and the Headbangers Balls and just blazing up some Metal in their parents' basement.

"I Die At 35" is a real standout, an infectious blend of Modern Thrash and CLUTCH-fried Dirt Rock. "The Law You Have Sworn" acts as a Classical Metal lead-in to "Forward Thinking", another cool mix of Meat-and-Potatoes Metal/Rock with some incredible leads and breakdowns. The track where the band shines the most is "Yawning Of The Gate", which opens with a crystalline melodic riff that's perfect for a late night drive down a deserted highway, closing out with a strong bass line and a somber Thrash beat; a real moody, reflective piece of Metal amongst all the beer-drenched madness. The closing one-two punch of instrumental "Blood Of A Ghost" and mid-tempo cruncher "Monument" has a similar aesthetic, which is truly where BEYOND THE SIXTH SEAL shines, allowing them to rise above novelty act status into a legitimate musical force. Perhaps the next release could yield more gloomy tracks of this nature (hint hint)?

There is nothing fancy about BEYOND THE SIXTH SEAL. The production is a little on the muddy side, which serves to add to the tape-trading atmosphere they've (successfully) recreated rather than rendering it an amateurish, unlistenable affair. It's clear that RED CHORD is the breadwinner for these guys, but BEYOND THE SIXTH SEAL is a great way for them to spend a vacation.