Redefining “Classic” with Redefind’s AudioVideoDisco
There are those that believe certain things never go out of style, while some would argue that styles come and go. So in 2023, when the biggest rock festivals in the U.S. (Welcome to Rockville, Louder than Life, Aftershock) are featuring main stage acts such as Limp Bizkit, Korn, Deftones, and Slipknot, some may be compelled to reconsider the current popularity of numetal. Controversial as the genre may have been during its initial flooding of the mainstream airwaves, at its core are strong rhythm elements with heavy drums and bass guitar, and catchy guitar hooks- often drenched in texture from effects. Equally important are the emphatic vocal performances that meld the pulse of rapping, the emotion of clean singing, and the gutteral nature of screaming. These key components are what has kept the genre alive for legions of fans of bands that are now becoming “classics” in their own rights, as well as blossoming countless new acts through influence.
Redefind, from South Carolina’s Greenville/Upstate, is a band that has been clearing a path for themselves in the regional music scene for some time now. Since signing with Godsize records in 2022, the group has seen touring opportunities with Ill Nino, HED P.E., and Texas Hippie Coalition. Redefind’s new album AudioVideoDisco is a high-energy album full of unstoppable rhythm, sharp guitar riffs, and diverse and cathartic vocals.
Speaking broadly, the production on this album is quite thick and tight. The complimentary drum and bass guitar arrangements (Dustan Snow / Drew Porter) throughout the album highlight the true weight of each track. No song feels weaker or less-than when compared to its neighbors, and no dynamics are lost. For the recording process, the band turned to Exodian Studios in Black Mountain, North Carolina.
Guitarist Dru Cifer seems to drip perfect nu metal riffs from his fingers on demand- providing a well-defined motif to each song. Cifer finds increasingly interesting ways to let the riff flourish without losing its central attack point. A few favorite moments are the riffs from “Helping Hands,” and “Memories,” as well as the bridge/solo section from “Outcasts and Outlaws.”
In a much more real sense than some implied validation of “modern nu metal” (not that it was ever needed,) vocalist Jordan Caparell’s lyrical content and vocal performances are rife with longing for respect, validation, and perhaps reckoning. It’s all very much in earnest, questioning one’s place in the world, the motives of others, and the pressures of an uncertain future. Even the song titles give this away- “Fake Love,” “Helping Hands,” and “Outcasts” all share the same sentiment; there’s no room in the band’s world for smiling glad-hands, haters, or anyone else operating from a negative or transactional perspective.
Redefind has a strong history including some lineup changes and time spent largely inactive, but with AudioVideoDisco, they have taken a huge step, supported by the foundation they’ve built over the past few years. The digital release of the album was April 21, 2023, but the group is celebrating the physical release with a highly-publicized performance at Radio Room (Greenville S.C.) on Friday, June 2nd. Joining the bill are Mydas XXII, H3RO, and Den of Wolves. Redefind are also using this show as an opportunity to add to their solid arsenal of music videos, utilizing the Moonrunners (Winston-Salem, N.C.) to capture footage for the AudioVideoDisco track “Memories.” For one final surprise, they have included a solid cover of Halsey’s “I’m not a woman, I’m a god” on the physical copies of AudioVideoDisco, which in context of the full album becomes an unexpected change and further proof that Redefind has only shown the beginning of their capabilities.
Redefind – AudioVideoDisco (Spotify)
