2000 -2002

From HIDDEN SANCTUARY ( April 2000) http:// stations.mp3s.com/stations/2/_Hidden_Sanctuary.html

DEEP RED / DARKWATERS

Another band who is forging ahead with the future sound of Goth music, that is danceable, introspective and totally addictive to goths and non-goths alike. Every cut is a hit and owning the CD is well worth the price.- Mike Ventarola

From HITSESSION.COM (May 2000) http://www.hitsession.com/reviews/caitlinarchive.shtml

DEEP RED / DARKWATERS

This song's intro makes me feel like I'm on a monastery. I like the music-box synths,they are really pretty and add to the music. This song is so pretty. I love it and belive it would get good airplay on alternative radio stations. This song is awesome and should be downloaded the moment you read this!- Caitlin

From POLITIKA RADIO / SOSPIRI GOTHIC SHOW. (BELGRADE , YUGOSLAVIA) June 2000

DEEP RED / DARKWATERS - THE AWAKENING

From now on I will dream in red, that's for sure. After listening to Deep Red's "DarkwaterS" the only question left is how can this be that good? .Excuse me all the other people involved in electro music , but you can pack your things and go home . Deep Red must be lonesome on those dizzy heights , but like the olympian gods, I'm sure they are having plenty of fun there. Let's go back to the music-"DarkwaterS" consists of all the elements and some extra secret magic to give everything what music can give. Aquamarine soul depths, red hot fire spirits and dark -shaded hidden spaces can be found on this marvelous voyage trough the music of Deep Red . For the first time, machines are not the issue, they come alive somehow under DC astro's spell and overflooded by the full- blooded , most beautiful vocals of Martha M. Arce added with some extra spices from Mario Soto. The music of Deep Red can't be called "Electronic", it's just music and the album is a masterpiece. "DarkwaterS" is definetly my new millenium's favorite record for so many reasons that I'll leave you to discover. "The Awakening" is equal in music to "One Hundred Years Of Solitude" is in literature. It's a shame that Deep Red supported Project Pitchfork on their tour, it should be the other way around, only that Deep Red does not need to be supported by those twats.- Stevan Mijatovic- Radio Politika.

From DARKER THAN THE BAT radio show (BELGIUM) August 2000 http://www.proservcenter.be/darkerthanthebat/cdreview.html

DEEP RED / DARKWATERS

Darkwaters was released on March 28, 2000, and is the latest album from Deep Red.Deep Red is DC astro, Martha and Mario.They make that kind of music in which you recognise EBM, Pop and Eigthies wave added with a very special female voice. The songs are very easy to listen to, and Deep Red will be liked by a lot of people. Darkwaters is an album with possible dancefloor hits like Blind Rage and Thoughts Of Darkness, more quiet passages like Symptoms and Spirits Of The Past and last but not least the cover song Vienna. On this album everybody will find some songs that he or she likes, so don't hesitate to buy it.- Peter Jan Van Damme.

From GOTHIC THIRSTY.COM August 2000 http://www.thirsty.com

DEEP RED / DARKWATERS This reviewrs' score: **** (4 stars)

Previously ignorant of the existence of Florida-based gothic up and comers Deep Red, I was more than pleasantly surprised with their beautifully crafted CD ,titled DarkwaterS. With a unique sound that is one part Depeche Mode, one part Dead Can Dance and one part Garbage, Deep Red produces a fresh and hypnotic take on familiar gothic sounds. Using a combination of emotional melodies, haunting vocals, and a forceful electronic beat, tracks like "Blind Rage" and "Blood and Roses" have the words "future goth club hit" written all over them. With so much of Gothic/ Industrial club music rooted in the past, Deep Red offers an exiting new sound for club goers and Gothic music fans everywhere. - Katcadaver

From WRAPPED IN WIRE September 2000 http://www.wrappedinwire.com

DEEP RED / DAR KWATERS Style: Melodic Electro / Darkwave. Rating : B

This band sounds a lot like Battery. So much in fact that if I heard their music in a club that's exactly who I would think they were. This is mainly due to the fact that Martha M. Arce has a similar voice and singing style to Maria of Battery. The music in the songs offered here feature extremely layered electronic programming, beautiful keyboard melodies, guitar and solid drum beats. It plays at a somewhat medium pace where is just fast enough to hold your interest. It also features an enchanting and melodic edge to it that could be compared to the music of Delerium. As with most bands that create this style of music, there's a mixture of mellow songs as well as faster paced tracks that could work on the dance floor. Overall this CD mixes EBM with Darkwave. So,while it's electronic, it's also rather dark and Gothic. My main complaint here is that most of the songs sound very much alike. There's not a lot of variety throughout the CD. Also, this band doesn't really do anything new or different. While listening to this CD I couldn't help but feel that I've heard it all before. But I will admit that it's a quality release with a clean sound to it. If you enjoy melodic dark electronic music with female vocals, you will like this album. - Darklight

From STARVOX October, 2000 http:// www.starvox.net

DEEP RED / DARKWATERS

For those of you who are avid readers of OUTBURN MAGAZINE, you may have noticed that this particular Deep Red , from Florida, won the court case for the rights to utilize this name. Since they had the name for a longer period of time, it is only fitting that the name conflict be resolved once and for all .This verdict could not have come at a more appropiate time since this trio has been steadily carving an unforgettable niche in the dark underground dance clubs. Their driven , full-bodied work has been ranked at the top with artists such as VNV Nation, Apoptygma Berserk, ect. Deep Red goes a few steps ahead of the after mentioned bands simply because the driving intensity is so infectious and the vocals so seductive, that few can come away not being in total awe of this band's presence. "Don't Look Now" opens the disc with a fulminating, bass slamming rhythm and dance groove. Each song that follows manages to lure the listener in until one is fully hooked and totally mesmerized. Goth purists may balk that this music is too dance oriented and less gloomy, however this band is able to pull the moods through many levels, particularly with the heart wrenching lyrics of many of the songs. "Spirits Of The Past" broods like an Egyptian mystery during sunset. The sensuous slow grooves, coupled with the drone- like harmonics in the background subliminally hypnotize us into introspection/ As Arce pleads withthe spirits of the past to reconcile the answers to the questions left unaswered, one cannot help but feel a kinship for the same internal questioning so common in many of us. "Darkwaters", a mid tempo groove which brings a harmonic bridge intro towards a deep excursion to a netherworld od dark isolation which focus on dark sensuality." Why pretend to be / brave and naive, it's useless / signs ,signs of decay are everywhere, to guide me......./ These darkwaters run / drowning my faith / drowning in sorrow." "Blind Rage" percolates into an intense EBM. "No looking back, free at last / the scars you left are healing fast / I said goodbye to your disdain , and the pain / ran out of room for fears in my life." It culminates heartbreaking aspect of leaving behind one whose anger and rage has caused us distress, yet has allowed us to recognize the need to become more selective before we give away our heart. "Fallen" opens like a tragedy from a horror film with the dramatic stylized violin-like tones which segue to an electronic buzzing and bleeping behind a funky bass line. "The evening falls / I'm left without a trace / as darkness calls / surrender once again / with trembling hands / I tear apart the veil / and realize the depth of my mistake / did I fall from grace?. Arce's searing chorus makes this such a memorable song that most folks end up sisging it right after hearing it fot the first time. "Symptoms" delivers a trip-hop type of percussive groove wrapped around very deeply dark and delicious notes that smoothly glide into a mournful introspection. "These symptoms are not new / my heart bleeds forever /These symptoms are not new / been dying since I met you." The harmonies on this song are pure heaven and totally intoxicating as well that listeners will no doubt hear the song playing in their heads after hearing it. "Slowslidings" enshrines Arce as the godess of dark sensuous music." A sesnse of tension fills the air / there's no reason to despair tonight / a hidden voice reveals to me / unfinished rites will be resumed at last / Slowslidings of desire / I kneel before you , you're my sin / can feel the passion through my skin , tonight / a new religion we'll create / unbound desires roaming free at last." This track is an intense EBM track sung with a sexual energy that is lacking in much of today's music. "Thoughts of Darkness" is an ingenious dance cut that relates the forlon and abject feeling of isolation wrapped around heavy EBM intensity. "Darkness comes and goes each time I breathe / crowded thoughts subside / images of life just flashing by; are they over now?." "Blood and Roses" is one of those cuts that belongs on every DJ's master playlist. The meshing of electronics, sensuality and infectious dance beats make this an irresistible song that could ignite the floors from one end of the globe to the next. " All has changed in a single day / what we have is almost divine /wondering is this just a dream / hoping I'm not delirious / Hypnotized, weak before your sight /terrified this could end soon / Blood and roses remain / all my hopes they sustain." "The Descent" creates a night mood in a barren, desolate city. This track is an instrumental piece that could easily be placed on a soundtrack to a film seeking to depict a fallen angel surrounded by darkness and confusion. "Breath in the Mirror" segues from the last song with a touch of middle eastern feeling stretched over electronic sounds that depict a somber mood between ligh and dark. "Pieces of love, scattered around / remmants of times, I thought would last / weary of lust, afraid to trust / who knows what will tomorrow bring / where can I go, what can I do /to stop these doubts, erase the past / walk among ruins of discontent / the only hope lies somewhere else.". "Vienna" happens to be the only track sung by Mario Soto. He does such a superb job with this cover tune that one would hope he continues to add more of his vocals to the band's music in the future. Deep Red has amassed 11 tracks of such an exquisite EBM masterpieces that I would venture if one bought this disc and din't like it I would buy it back from them! It is not often that a band releases a CD where each song is destined to be a hit.Despite the intricate brilliance of each song the underlying lyrics of despondency capture the moody element prone to Goth sensibility. This is a group who has fine tuned every aspect of the music before laying it down for mass consumption, and as such you owe to yourself to fall in love with this phenomenal sound.- Mike Ventarola

From RAVENOUS E-ZINE (South Africa) http://www.anzwers.org/free/whispers/ravenous/issue2_cds.htm

DEEP RED / THE AWAKENING

(Candyland /SPV) - by Headhunter. In September Burn ran a Deep Red CD giveaway in conjunction with Subterania, and we managed to snag a copy for review. A quick look at the egyptian-motif packaging gives a clue as to the music itself (gothic), but listening to the CD reveals a definite and unexpected pop-electro-goth sound, very (in fact, too) reminiscent of Siouxsie, Switchblade Symphony, our own Syrens and similar perfomers. If you enjoy female vocals and techy, almost eighties-sounding instrumentals, you will probably enjoy this album, but unfortunately I can't say that it's much more than pleasant listening. Later albums (eg Darkwaters) by this American duo are slightly more adventurous musically (this was their first, so thatÕs always a reason to give someone a second chance) but still on the monotonous side vocally. More interesting and varied is their 'I Live' single, featuring 3 remixes of 'I Live' and one of 'Red' - perhaps a better way to initially sample their stuff. Visit their site at www.deepred.com

From GOTHIC PARADISE , March 2001 http://www.gothicparadise.com

DEEP RED / DARKWATERS

Well , I finally got my hands on a copy of Deep Red's latest album , DarkwaterS. Like their first album , I was not dissapointed. Starting off the CD is Don't Look Now, with that hard hitting synth sound that just yells "get up and dance !" . Martha's vocals carry this track to a new extreme that blends perfectly with with the powerful music that just moves me.. A definite club hit with this track!. Spirits Of The Past is the next track which starts out with the low, smooth synths that gradually gives way to the percussion. The tempo is a lot slower, quite soft , with an exellent blend of instruments and harmonies..With pleading lyrics to the "Spirits of the Past", this song really has a lot of emotion and feelings in it. Darkwaters is one of the highlights on this album. Not really a club track in my opinion, because of the slow tempo, but still an exellent track to be heard on any radio show.I can't really put my finger on what it is that attracts me to this song so much, . It has an exellent non- intruding beat, an exellent blend of synths and Martha's beautiful vocals. It could be any one of things or maybe all of them blended so well together. Picking up the pace again is Blind Rage with a fast beat and intense blends of different synth loops and solos. I really like the bass loops on this song , along with the soothing vocals on top of it all. Changing the mood and tone quite a bit is Symptoms. Starting off very dark, slow and brooding, the really good bass makes me swoon when I hear it. Then the higher synths come in and and add a lot of body to the song. Troughout the song there are quite a few different experimental aspects, different drum rhythms, different instruments and an exellent build of vocals trough the chorus.. The intro to Slowslidings is probably the best part of this song. You can feel the anticipation build as the intro plays out building out to an exellent dance track. This track is quite a bit different from the others in that Martha's vocals seems almost muffled or distorted. Quite a nice twist in my opinion. Thoughts Of Darkness again has a nice intro, but short , that almost immediatly gives way to a nice danceable beat. I'm not a big fan of the synth loop that kicks in, it almost seems intruding, but not every song can be perfect. However, that loop only continues for a few seconds trough different parts of the song. The rest of the song is dominated by Martha's smooth vocals, exept for the chorus where that synth kicks in and her vocals build to a nice crescendo. Blood and Roses is another in a series of danceable club tracks. Starting inmediately with a strong beat and pulsating synthesizers, and then giving way to the nice, smooth female vocals. The Descent starts what I like to think of a trilogy of dark, slowly paced songs that make up the finale of this disc. This is basically an instrumental intro to the next track. Breath in the Mirror uses exellent percussion, reminiscent of something you may find on a Dead Can Dance song. However, because Deep Red has their own unique style of blending their synths and vocals in such a way, it ends up not sounding like anything at all from Dead Can Dance. Finally, in my opinion, the grand finale to this wonderful CD is a cover of Ultravox's Vienna. With the only male vocals on the CD, I hpoe to hear more of this in the future. A very unique, but at the same time , quite accurate cover of this exellent song. Great job from this exellent group! - Jacob Bogedahl

From GOTHIC VIXEN , September 2001 http://www.gothicvixen.net

DEEP RED / DARKWATERS

Hypnotic, Haunting, Erotic. These are the three words that continously float through my mind as I listen to this 12 track release by Industrial - Goth band Deep Red. Vocalist Martha has a sultry voice that will completly captivate you. Each dark industrial track is dance worthy and holds an addictive nature that is capable of locking you into a trance. This is definetly the kind of music you would hear the DJ spining at your local gothic / industrial club. I love the pulsating beats and the "other - wordly" sounds that are present troughout this release. You can detect old - school German industrial influences in the band's music. Dark and passionate Deep Red has quite a stable following , yet probably aren't as widely known as they should be. If you're looking for a good industrial band to loose yourself in, you might want to give this trio a try!

From THE SENTIMENTALIST , Dec 2001

DEEP RED / DARKWATERS

Martha Arce's rich contralto vocals, like Laphroaig for the ears, wind sinuously through big dancey beats played and programmed by DC Astro and Mario Soto. Deep Red's dense list of sound tools produces an innovative variety of sounds and feelings, from the gospel organ crunches of "Blind Rage" to the jazzy atmosphere of "Slowslidings", to the middle eastern-sounding rhythms of "The Descent/Breath in the Mirror". 80's influences are given a nod with an elegant cover of UltravoxÕs "Vienna". At times the production is a little too level for my tastes, resulting in a flatness of sound that is at odds with the band's energy, but nevertheless you can't sit still while listening to this album. Fans of Battery, Hexedene, and Hungry Lucy will find much to appreciate in Deep Red .- Regina Harrison

From GOTHIC BEAUTY magazine Issue #4 January 2002 www.gothicbeauty.com

DEEP RED / THE AWAKENING / Osiris Soundworks / Candyland Entertainment Rating: 5 Stars

Characteristic Egyptian inspirations permeate Deep Red's The Awakening, which remains the most seductive gothic music CD that I own. Ten intoxicating dance tracks including "Red", "Creatures of the Night" and "Deep Red", each featuring leading samples, will keep the swirly goths dancing like moths to the flame. Tracks such as "Holy You", "Valley of Regrets", and "Bridge of Sighs" are also exceptionally well-optimized for the gothic/darkwave dance floor. Simply put, it just doesn't get any better than this. Convergence 7 veterans, Dely Castro (instrumentation and programming), Martha M. Arce (vocals and lyrics), Mario Soto (background vocals), complete Deep Red www.deepred.com. "...My nightmares are bathed in red. Red is the color of passion...and rage..." and you deserve to be inundated by Deep Red. - Jett Black

From GOTHIC PARADISE July 2002 www.gothicparadise.com

DEEP RED / CHIMERA / Osiris Soundworks

While it has only been two years since the release of DarkwaterS, this is still a very highly anticipated album by fans worldwide. As with any new release unless the artist comes out and lets us all know exactly what to expect, it's always fun to speculate what will be new or different on a new album. Deep Red manages to stick with their roots with the electro-goth style they've established, yet add more driving elements and other small variations that have enhanced their sound even more. The intro track "The Etruscan Kills Again" starts off with that trademark synth-laiden sound and picks up immediately with the title track "Chimera". This song portrays that driving element spoken of earlier. A very dance-friendly element combined with Martha's smooth vocals that bring it together quite well. However, my favorite part of this album is definitely the powerful and emotional song "Moments". The tempo matches perfectly with Martha's emotional and almost soothing vocals. Definitely a highlight for this album. The goodies don't stop with the third track as the great music goes on. We're treated with Mario's vocals on various tracks including "Starless" and the up-tempo, almost harsh track "Living In Black". The distorted vocals mixed with the pounding beats and powerful synths in this song are another new aspect to this album. And we certainly can't forget the ballads that fans have grown to love. On this album we're treated with "Sin to Sin" to carry on this tradition of the more melancholic and slower styles. Also on this album is "Chimera II", a slower, instrumental work. And the final track "Glimpses" features Mario again on this mid-tempo ballad. So there you have it, the majority of the tracks being driving, club-friendly tracks and also featuring the ballads and the power and emotion that we've grown to love. DC Astro has been able to put together some excellent music, combined with Martha and Mario's vocals and various talents (drums, lyrics, keyboards and guitars), they've managed to pull off another masterpiece in musical art. I personally think it's an improvement over previous works and look forward to more, including an upcoming remix album. The CD also includes a really good video of "Moments" and other little goodies including a band bio and pictures. The artwork, extras and the core music on this CD make it all very enjoyable. Rating: 4/5 - Jacob Bogedahl

From STARVOX Sept. 2002 www.starvox.net

Kevin's pick of the month:

DEEP RED / CHIMERA / Osiris Soundworks

Some have said that Gothic Rock is dead -- killed by Synthpop, or by EBM, or maybe Andrew Eldritch. Miami trio Deep Red must not be reading the obituaries. Their latest release "Chimera" is a tasty piece of modern Gothic Rock, and if it's dead, it is one beautiful corpse. Combining the elegaic grandeur of vintage Bauhaus with the catchy rhythms of modern dance music, "Chimera" proves the naysayers wrong. Bela Lugosi may be dead... but a quick listen to this CD will prove that Gothic rock is still alive, well and relevant. How do they do it? For starters, they have a Real Live Person behind the drumkit, not just a beatbox. Mario Soto is a superb percussionist. His steady hand underpins Martha Arce's ethereal vocals on "Moments" and cuts through the keyboard haze on "Blue in Heaven." Not content to rest on his drumming laurels, he also adds a tasty bass lines on "Starless" and the X-Vortex remix of "Sin to Sin." He's got rhythm, he's got music, he's got good tunes -- who could ask for anything more? (Well, maybe Cole Porter could ask yr. humble reviewer for an apology... ). DC Astro's keyboard stylings are also enormously important to the Deep Red sound. Thankfully, he avoids the New Cliches: the whooshy, wispy chords which are part and parcel of most modern synthpop only make brief appearances in "Chimera II." His smooth, rhythmic progressions alternately evoke Giorgio Moroder or Kraftwerk, but never overwhelm Martha Arce's vocals or become tedious or tiresome. Deep Red uses keyboards as an instrument, not as an end in themselves. Astro is also the man behind the slick production and mixing: if he ever tires of playing in a band, he's definitely got a potential career in the studio. And last, but certainly not least, there are the vocals and lyrics of Martha Arce. Arce is a skilled singer, but also (thankfully) refreshingly free of ego. She's able to work with the band, not as the leader so much as another part of the equation. She's able to sing with the band and support the music... a rare talent in singers. Her throaty, sexy vocals give "Books of Fate" real single (and dancefloor) potential, while her multilayered harmonies on "Nothing's Ever Enough" are more than enough for rock and roll. Once upon a time, New Wave gave the lumbering beast which was Arena Rock a swift kick in the tush. Today dance culture has done the same with Gothic Rock. This isn't synthpop, but it has definitely been influenced by synthpop and by electronica. Avoiding the "hand stapled to forehead" cliches of Goth Rock and the "cue the whooshing synth/cue the drum machine/cue the baritone vocal" cliches of Synthpop, this release has both brains and a beat, and should please Gothic purists and synthkiddies alike. Highly recommended.

Kevin Filan

From STARVOX Sept 2002 www.starvox.net

DEEP RED / CHIMERA Reviewed by: Anthony Flores / BlackOrpheus

With their 2002 release Chimera, Florida band Deep Red, has added yet another noteworthy release to a small but exquisitely crafted collection. Deep Red's album CHIMERA is not particularly standard, nor is it formulaic fare. The music of Deep Red is a fusion if you will of elements as diverse as electro and ethereal, and as unified as goth and darkwave. Their music betrays a skill and creativity that isn't readily attained. It is possessed of many more moments of outright beauty and sublimity than one is generally accustomed to. The band is not new, nor is it unknown. It does however fail to enjoy the stature of its better publicized peers. It is my hope that word of mouth and the continued quality of its releases will remedy this inequity. The following are a few of the tracks I'm most partial to on Deep Red's CHIMERA. "Moments" is a song that almost immediately settles itself down in the seat of your emotions. It is a song of longing and release. "Moments" felt everything and could forget nothing. It seeks embrace and reassurance, when ones world has come unravelled. It wants to call out after you, even as you're walking away. Martha Arce skillfully invokes the universal memories of shared emotion and experience. She does so with verve, as each lyric is imbued with a rawness that cannot fail to register recognition with the sensitive listener. "Sin To Sin" is another track upon which I cannot help but enthuse. It is a limpid attempt to convey the feelings associated with a shared intimacy. It succeeds wonderfully well. It is all at once sensual and at the same time self knowing. It recognizes that need fulfillment is frequently traded upon the act of being intimate with someone emotionally and otherwise. It is no ones fault when the intimacy concludes, as both parties asked impossible things of mere intimacy. The song is a haunting treatise on dependance, and beautifully conveyed by the knowing voice of Martha Arce once again. Closing out my favorites on this album is "Blue In Heaven". This song possesses the easy familiarity of great 80's New Wave fare, Berlin meets "Til Tuesday, perhaps. The song is energetic and affirming, and in my opinion has definite dancefloor potential. I'd recommend a remix most assuredly. Great song! As I approach the end of my sojourn with Deep Red's CHIMERA, I'd like to make a few closing remarks. As a reviewer, I think it'd be helpful to have access to current album lyrics. Currently, they weren't to be found in the cd liner notes or on the bands lyric page posted on their site. Ideally, I'd rather see lyrics in the cd's booklet than band photos. It is both helpful and of interest to the listener. It would be helpful to see the menu labelled clearly as well. When my cursor came to rest on each portion of the menu page, no area designation appeared. Lastly, I really believe it might best serve the band to consider revising their bio page. It lacks the skilled craftsmanship of their music. These are just suggestions, no offense intended. CHIMERA is a competent album evincing the continued honing of the bands craft. If they continue on in this vein, they cannot fail to capture the larger audience they're so deserving of. I enjoyed this album very much, and felt the slower songs were where the band really broke out and truly shined. If you aren't familiar with the band, CHIMERA is a great introduction to a gifted group of musicians. Many thanks to Deep Red and Osiris Soundworks for the opportunity to review the album. Best wishes for the future.

From GOTHIC VIXEN December 2002 http://www.gothicvixen.net

DEEP RED / CHIMERA

Hailed as the Miami -based band's most ambitious release, the latest offering from Deep Red features a multimediasection complete with a video, photo gallery and full bio. But the treats don't stop there.

Once you get past all the flashy interactive stuff, you'll find that the music lives up to the build. Two years after their DarkwaterS release, Deep Red hasn't lost their magical touch to charm Goth audiences with their danceable dark grooves and sweet synth hooks. Martha's smooth vocals and emotionally charged lyrics ( particulary notable in "Moments" ) complete the effect. Mario also lends his voice to several songs including "Starless", "Living In Black" and "Glimpses". The inclusion of male vocals on these tracks heightens the appeal and adds a deeper sensuality to the songs.

Altrough the root of this album primarily lays in Goth - Club ready tunes, Deep Red fans will be pleased at the inclusion of the instrumental piece " Chimera II ", as well as the ballad " Sin To Sin ". Adding just enough variety to keep things interesting, " Nothing's Ever Enough " features spell -binding vocal harmonies that add a rock element to the album, while " Blue In Heaven " will cause new wave fans to rejoice.

Chimera walks a fine line between Industrial infused Gothic Rock and Synth - Pop. Never fully one or the other - but enough to appeal to fans of both. - Jessica Ocasio

From STARVOX, December 2002 http://www.starvox.net
DEEP RED /CHIMERA

Deep Red released a Cd which included a darkly beautiful enhanced video that make the purchase price all the more worth it. If slamming EBM is your forte, Deep Red delivers the goods once again. Lyrically, there is more angst that is woven between the lyrics that are simply timeless.

This has to be the closest the band has reached in being able to appease the goth and EBM crowds equally. Despite their previous popularity in the underground, much of their earlier work skirted around the edges of darkness without fully plummeting towards it. However, this release clearly has them embracing the more morose tones that goth’s have come to love so dearly, yet they also manage to make the work that much more club friendly to build a bridge between the genres.

“The Etruscan Kills Again” opens with a film sampling dialogue piece and percolates with up to the minute dance club grooves. Many Dj’s tend to avoid songs with samples in it for some reason, but from a consumer standpoint, this reviewer enjoys them immensely.

“Chimera” has an intro reminded me of a darker version of Company B’s “Fascinated” and would segue well from that track in mainstream clubs rather effortlessly.

“Moments” shimmers with the same essence that made their earlier hit “Holy You” such a delight, though this track has even more passion and more BPM’s. The lyrics are most telling as well, “IT'S ONLY A MOMENT WE GET THIS IN THIS LIFETIME BEFORE YOU NOTICE IT'S GONE. /CARELESS ABANDON, LEAVING YOU STRANDED. THIS ROAD'S NOT PAVED WITH GOLD./OUTSIDE THE WORLD GOES, ON AND ON WITHOUT YOU, AS YOUR DREAMS GROW OLD.

“Starless” features Mario Soto on vocals, something that is often overlooked by DJ’s who are enamored with Martha Arce’s beautiful vocals. Soto did a tour de force rendition of Ultravox’s hit, “Vienna” on their last release that really should have been broadcast on radio from coast to coast. This high-tempo pumping track takes him away from the realm of cover songs and really lets him explore the dark dance element in his psyche. It is up to the minute EBM and one that is bound to please club patrons. It is lyrically angry and delves into disillusionment.

“Battle Lines” is among the darkest intro’s that Deep Red has done thus far. This too segues into an up to the minute EBM pounding dance number dealing with relationship dissolution. Arce’s vocal’s are given a filtered tweak before she comes bursting through like an overwrought woman on the brink.

“Books of Fate” has a funereal style intro that sizzles and then segues with thunderous beats. During the chorus, Arce is vocally cut up and bubbled underneath as an added and delightful sound effect.

“Sin To Sin” is a trip hop track that has Arce drawing us into her sonic seductiveness. It is a sorrowful song of love and loss. Arce’s delivery is extremely heartfelt that one has to wonder if there is a bit of autobiographical content within its confines.

“Living In Black” is another track from Mario Soto where he is lead vocalist and Arce contributes background vocals for a wonderful rendition and utilization of both of their talents together. Here, he explores the angst of fitting in and wondering about being used. This sentiment seems to know no age boundaries. In spite of its dance floor friendliness, it is poignant with personal sentiment.

“I TRY TO BE FRIENDLY, BUT OFTEN BEEN USED/ I WANT TO BE NICE BUT ONLY ABUSED / MY FRIENDS ALL AROUND ME, I ASK WHY THEY'RE THERE, /I JUST CAN'T EXPLAIN, BUT SOMEONE MIGHT CARE. / I'M SO SICK, SO TIRED OF LIES, / I'M NOT WHO THEY THINK, I'M NOT WHO THEY WANT, / IT'S FUNNY HOW SIMPLE IT IS TO PRETEND, /NOW THAT I THINK OF IT, IT'S ALL JUST A GAME .”

“Blue In Heaven” has a more 80’s dark pop flavor where Arce’s vocals are given a full treatment of high end seductiveness and sampled cut up splicing as though she were Hecate herself.

“Nothing’s Ever Enough” really opens the vein on a relationship from hell. It delves into that frustration that we have all felt at one time or another where nothing we do ever seems to work or be enough. A toxic relationship put to song!

“Chimera II” is a slow and somewhat macabre instrumental track. It would probably get club play out on the west coast where they are less restrictive and have been known to play similar tracks from artists such as Xorcist, My Scarlet Life, et. al.

“Sin To Sin (X-Vortex Mix) this mix took away the trip hop and added more “oontz.” Much of the dark element was stripped away and replaced with a mid-tempo Euro beat.

“Glimpses” is a hidden track that isn’t listed on the CD. It is a more trip hop ballad style that gives rise to another incarnation of Mario Soto’s vocals. Here, he shows less angst and more heartfelt longing.

This is an album of highly constructed dark dance tracks, that also features the wonderful vocal contributions of Mario Soto. Having Martha Arce and Soto pair off lends itself well for variety and helps the band really shine like never before. In particular, it is great to hear Soto adding his voice yet again. After his wonderful contribution with Vienna on Darkwaters, some wondered if he would record again or if that track was merely filler. Thankfully he has 3 tracks on this outing because his darker tones coupled with Martha Arce’s seductiveness adds an element of balance to the overall feeling of the CD. Arce has been the vocal star of Deep Red, however, Soto’s contributions also demonstrate that this band is willing to explore and go ever deeper and onward with their style, sound, mood and emotions.

For those who want dance music with a dark edge, do seek out this recording. - Mike Ventarola