An Evolution of Sound Posted April 03, 2024 By TommyG_NRT, Staff Reviewer
What You Need to Know Saved By Skarletis a Christian hard rock band with metalcore influences hailing from Rhode Island. They were founded and are fronted by twin brothers Nathan and Matt Middleton. Despite each having a full-time job and family, the brothers have been actively creating music and playing Christian Festivals over the last 6 years. The band also consists of Alexander Hare on guitar, and Dallen Shrader on drums. They have a loyal fan base, and continue to grow in popularity with every new release and concert appearance. With melodic tones, aggressive vocals, driving guitar riffs, and faith inspired lyrics, Saved By Skarlet's music and performances deliver a message of hope, high energy, community, and positivity.
Originally known as Rising Ashes, the band consisted of the Middleton brothers and multiple female vocalists from 2012-2016. After several reinventions of the band, they became more serious about their music, and in December of 2016, released their first single "Conquerors." The band produced and released many single tracks from 2015 to 2019, and in 2019 released their first full-length album Out of Darkness.
The band's new name Saved By Skarlet was coined in 2016 by Nate after reading the story of Rahab in the book of Joshua, in which a woman named Rahab helps save two prophets of God. In return, Rahab and her family's lives were spared from the destruction of the sinful city of Jericho, because she hung a scarlet rope out of her window.
The band has been featured multiple music magazines including Pulse Magazine, Rock On Purpose, and The Good News Newspaper. They currently tour throughout New England, New York, and Ohio, and have performed with artists like Skillet, All That Remains, Memphis May Fire, and many more. They have played Capulet Festival, SoulFest, Kingdom Come, River Rock, Connect Fest and continue to expand their footprint.
What It Sounds Like Saved By Skarlet's latest release Creation and Crisis features three new songs--the title track "Foundation," "Creation and Crisis," "Compass of Guiding Light,"--and two remastered songs, "Black Knight" and "Lie of The Pharisees" which the band previously released over the last two years.
The instrumentals on this latest release are all tight, crisp and at times, edgy. The vocals are the hardest we have ever heard from the band, and it signals the evolution of their music towards a heavier sound. What's also cool about Saved By Skarlet is that they are just as happy to slow down, sing ballads and lead worship songs (a favorite of mine) as they are to scream the lyrics and initiate a mosh pit! This album is on the heavier side and does not feature any ballads or worship. The production quality of this EP is top-notch.
Spiritual Highlights This EP showcases feelings of frustration and anger, but also points the way to how and who can resolve that anger: Jesus. The lyrics take on the daily struggles of life, heresy, hypocrisy, brokenness, and defeat.
There are plenty of positive messages of salvation and Biblical allusions in this album which add to its appeal and credibility.
One example of this is in their song "Creation and Crisis." Another example is "Black Night," which evokes illustrations in the chorus: "How can I be safe now that You're gone?/There's a black knight riding into the storm/Breaking the chains as we fall to our knees, cover me/ How can I be safe now that You're gone?/ Like a black knight riding into the storm/Hold onto me and rise to defend/Be the hope as we're fighting the dragon again."
At the end of the song they sing, "We held the line, the sword of truth unbroken/We will survive to watch the embers burn."
Best Song There are a few songs on this EP that could be considered the best. But since I have to pick just one, I would choose "Lie Of the Pharisees." There are many things I like in this song, such as the changes in tempo, the kick bass, the lead vocals, and the screamo portions. This song was well-written and produced, and sounds like a classic headbanging track.
The message of the song is powerful, and not at all subtle. The lyrics address what many believers may be feeling when it comes to the popular preachers of mega churches and televangelists of today. For example the chorus of the song says, "You are not the one to bring the peace/We are the cure to a heart of deceit/Snake bites like fire infect within, 'cuz hammers break bones/but the truth can break a hypocrite."
Final Word This EP shows not only the evolution of the band's sound, but also their maturation. I like the harder nature of this one, as it seems to perfectly fit the band. I highly recommend it.
