Eventually, every good band will grow into their own. They ’discover’ their true sound, and set themselves apart from a genre or scene to forge their own path. For some bands it can take five albums and a hundred reinventions; for others it simply never happens. With Behind Crimson Eyes, their debut album “A Revelation for Despair”, has already laid the blueprint for a lingering destiny. Whereas, their early recordings had the energy and songwriting power to make an impact, vocalist and lyricist Josh Stuart believes that for the first time Behind Crimson Eyes has written the music they’ve always wanted to write:

I believe Behind Crimson Eyes has finally found its own identity after 2 years of self discovery. We are writing music that not only pushes us as musicians but also pushes the boundaries of music in general. It will be a far more rewarding listen than say Pavour Nocturnus or even Prologue. I think people will be able to relate to this record and this band a lot more now.”

It’s a quick revolution for Behind Crimson Eyes (who also consists of guitarists Kevin Orr and Aaron Shultz, bassist Garth Buchanan and drummer Cameron Gilmore), but no surprise when you look at the rapid achievements of their two year career. The band’s 2005 EPs “Pavour Nocturnus” and “Prologue” both sold a considerable amount of records through independent label Boomtown Records (clocking up over 20,000 sales). As a result the band developed a massive underground following through relentless touring and contact with fans via the internet. Radio couldn’t ignore the cry from fans and by the end of the year, Triple J had been won over – adding three songs to its high rotation playlists. The band continued on national tour after national tour – clocking up over 150 shows in the year. In October 2005, they played the high profile Taste of Chaos Festival in Melbourne, and soon after sold out all but one show on their national headline tour.

At the end of such a massive year, Behind Crimson Eyes retired to start working on their debut album – mindful that they needed to raise the bar, writing new music that they would never tire of playing on the live circuit:.

“I guess you become a little more cynical when you travel and see as much as we have. You see more of the underbelly of society; the ruthless and animalistic nature of humans. We no longer feel ignorant and are more skeptical of how things really work in the world. These experiences have translated directly into what we have written about in this album,” explains Stuart.

And with the November 18th album release imminent, fans have been treated to a taste of things to come with opening single “Shakedown” – an epic anthem complete with massive riffing, a mind blowing solo, fist thumping shout-alongs and anti-authoritarian lyrics. Lyrically, the single has taken a much more radical angle than previous BCE material, with Stuart bellowing: “We’ll start a revolution and bring them to their knees”.

…….yet these lyrics will come as no surprise to fans who have seen the band play in recent times, with a much more outspoken nature at shows and a willingness to say the things that many bands are too often afraid to speak out about.

“I don’t think we ever really tell people what they should think about a certain subject or person, but rather display a situation that we may not necessarily agree with and let people make up their own minds. It would be fairly hypocritical of us to tell people what to think and then get up and sing “Shakedown” with any kind of conviction. I think alienation or controversy is a perfect way of challenging us. Usually issues are glossed over or never really explored until someone is passionate about it, whether it be for or against, and this usually sparks an evolutionary process.” says Stuart before adding “I'll take full responsibility for the statements I've made and happily back them up if need be.”

And with band’s debut album set to be released through the ever subversive Roadrunner Records, Behind Crimson Eyes have been given the platform to not only reach a lot of people, but be themselves with their music. “A Revelation For Despair” is definitely the heaviest the band has ever sounded, with no obvious pop songs tailor-made for radio and boring love songs designed to make girls weak at the knees. Instead, they’ve created a dark and brooding album with flashes of light and hope – extinguishing the “emo” label that had so often been stamped on their music, and boasting an energy that is sure to define a generation of listeners.