Country? Blues-rock ala Stevie Ray?  Pure power pop?

Nope, industrial alternative hard rock with metal overtones, from a band called Red Pyramid out of the Dallas area.

Now, rock/metal ain’t a new thang here in the DFW area ( Pantera, for one…), but some great metal/hard rock comes from the most unlikely areas of the U.S. ( Florida has a good metal scene, for another point…). Red Pyramid is no exception.

Red Pyramid is the brainchild of Joseph Kosier(vocals, electronics), who started the idea as a recording project that morphed into a live band that includes Will Jaeber(drums), Matt Rendar(guitar), and Josh Armstrong(bass). The band’s influences include Tool, Nine Inch Nails, and Smashing Pumpkins. All these influences show heavily on the 3 song demo, along with nods(at least to my ears) to Marilyn Manson and Metallica.

“Rings On Her Fingers” kicks off the show, with the mysterious synth bleeps and blips that trademark industrial hard rock/metal, invoking an ominous tone. This song transforms itself over the course of 5 minutes, with a very cool Kurt Cobain – like guitar solo from Rendar. Great way to throw the wrench at ya – it was the mid – 1990’s all over again for me!

“twenty THIRTEEN” is next, with passionate vocals from Kosier, and slashing metal/hard rock guitar again from Rendar. The rhythm section of Jaeger and Armstrong is most impressive in all these cuts – I was amazed at the chops and tightness of these young guns - most impressive.

“Paramour” ends the onslaught, and here I can really tell the NIN influence. Four-to-the-floor dance/metal beats and electronics crank along with some low-end synth growls that end up with a nod to Metallica “Master Of Puppets” - era song structure.

Joseph Kosier’s vocals and electronic manipulations are extremely well-placed and effective, but really, the whole band jells as one tight, cohesive unit. What has surprised me is how mature this band sounds at such a young age – you can’t by chemistry like this.

Red Pyramid is opening at the Prophet Bar on Sept. 4^th for Mushroomhed and Hed P.E.

over in Dallas – if you’re in town, please do yourself a favor, and check ‘em out – I’m sure they won’t disappoint!