Fuzz magazine, Russia by Phil Faithcontrol EP			There are 6 tracks on this record and it was recorded by the band themselves, so generally it's a demo record. But musicians classify their creation as an EP, and this has its causes: this kind of music you expect to get from professional band, not from the beginners. The gothic decadence is represented here not by languishing ballads, but rough music (associated with SKINNY PUPPY sometimes), in addition with synth-pop elements. Accordingly, it is not a surprise that here you can find covers of NINE INCH NAILS and DEPECHE MODE. But more often it reminds of CHIRON - Australian gothic band where Leva and Shura from BI-2 played guitars at one time. But the most pleasant thing is that St.Petersburg quintet has its own style in spite of the big stars. This kind of bands could reanimate the eternally dying gothic music. For that they would have to become famous outside the club level, but it is hard without specialized radio support.
Ank-zine,Belorussia by A_not Faithcontrol EP			It seems that our geographical neighbors to the right aimed at destroying the fact of a stereotype that those half-insane skinny boys with the guitars, keyboards and make-up are the priority of Albion. Another Russian goth-rock band from St. Petersburg made their first step through hardships to stars. The step is not too big represented by the 16-minute promo CD with 4 songs. There s a long way to go to the stars. But the course is set and the guys seem to know clearly in which direction they want to move. And we just have to watch their moving along the way made of note-bricks, chords and intervals towards the Wonderful Wizard of some land who will make all their wishes come true. We ll hope that on the way they will get exactly what they wanted to have as a result of the journey. I d like the result to be inspiration, talent, virtuosity and unpredictability. The first 3 ingredients are somehow represented within the project and all you have to do is develop them. As for the last ingredient here the difficulties start. So, my general opinion from the record: predictable but not without talent. There s enough potential and ideas but as a result we have a record which has nothing special if to choose it from other records. Sad, but it s a fact. This problem is urgent not only for Russian stage; the situation is similar in the West too. Can you name any goth-rock band that really impressed you within the latest 5 years? I can t. It seems that this style is all used up. The only way out is to combine different styles searching for alternative sound and to experiment more. Also it s important to escape the stereotype sounding. There re some intentions to do that, but not enough to end up being something really impressing. For example, the disc starts with a very interesting track comprising vocals with sound effects and a very good and potentially popular tune. So why not to develop experiments with the vocals further? Why do you have to bury the song in the standard set of trivial techniques? You will not surprise anyone with that. If you have all the materials that you can play around, just do it. I would advise the musicians from the northern capital of Russia to add more electronic sounds into their music, get rid of all the trivial and similar guitar solos, to experiment with vocals, in a few words just to diversify the musical content. In general I hope that RED RUM will keep the same passion and tunefulness in their music, will make the quality better and will add some originality - something that will not keep their CDs on the shelves covered with dust. All the rest is completely fine for me.
Goetter Magazine, Russia by Annet Faithcontrol EP			Every musician has the right to express sounds and samples, transforming them to experimental creation. Critical and sarcastic workers of music industry had said: "The Present has much to learn from the Past", and they were right. Many musicians are now sinning by this, making something old, but applying experimental samples of live sounds, something like "live electro" and so on; but nobody has prohibited doing this! Evidently, with these elements of decadent 80-s enticed me the new album of Red Rum, released in 2006 under the name "Faithcontrol". The album is interesting because of it's originality, every track is a special emotion, an individual style. "Accept Me" - analog sound reminds gothic rock, the amplitude of instrumental and vocal sound (loudness) is energetic. "The Hand of Help" - the decadent rhythm of guitars is retained in memory for a long time, while vocalist's charismatic tembre underlines the emotional shades of the lyrics. "Paranormal" is a parameter, orienting point, whatever you want - but this track has wonderful mixing and arrangement. This track deserves the highest mark, it takes us back to the golden years of The Cure, The Sisters of Mercy, In My Rosary. The stage is longing for such music with such forefathers. "Reunite with Heaven" - this track confirms the excellent grade of the album's quality. The unforgettable keyboard parts and the positive goth-rock style place the band on the same footing as The Unholy Guests, while the electro-gothic elements - as Stillife, Antisisters. Fans of synth-pop, brit-pop and electro will appreciate the bonuses in the Red Rum's album. We must also mention the band's impetuous aspiration for going further, experimenting on styles and rejoicing us by new albums, which would be unlike previous. The Red Rum's music can not be called "dark" or "melancholic", because we can not give simple definition to the four-dimensional picture of the album "Faithcontrol". Emotions, sensations and mood are important, not definitions.
Musician magazine, Russia Faithcontrol EP			Absolutely west sound (which is analogous, though analogies are unnessesary, to Rammstein). Complete professionalism in everything: arrangement, music, record quality, composition, presentation. I'm sure, that those, who like cold (even ice) european Nord, will appreciate RED RUM's new tracks. (by Vadim Petrov (keyboards, "Pangeya" band)) On the whole it is even good, especially the first song and the ideas in the other tracks. But it's a pity that the vocal melody dies out in due course: without it the music becomes boring, and there's nothing to do with it. (by Vitaly Murentzov (vocal, guitar, "ALOE" band)) A very surprising work. It seems that everything had been played and recorded in the middle 80-s, at dawn of electronic music. Almost analog sound. Typical phychodelic music of that time. It has very much in common with the French band "ROCKETS", which I hold in high respect. The most interesting CD among presented ones, both in quality and in content. During mixing I'd make compress bass drum and brighten the guitar distortion. (by Konstantin Fedorov (drums, sound producer, "Vremena" band)) It's a typical example of cheap home recording: the sound is flat, samples and programming are weak, preset keyboard sounds and parts are not interesting. Guitars are also boaring. Such a material needs thorough and laborious work, beginning with the midi-arrangement: drum- and bass-programming, selection of sounds and noises and working on them, further - tracking of guitars and vocal, then production etc. Everything can be done at home, but the main thing is not to hurry. But in spite of the cheap home recording, the idea in the whole pleased me (especially the name - Faithcontrol). It is very good that there're people that write such music! (by Nikolay Bichan (multi-instrumentalist, sound producer))
Savage recordings by Alexis Beattie Faithcontrol EP			In this, the Russian band's third release, they show a development and maturity of sound. Progressing from the indie stylings of their 'Let Me Live....' EP their sound has become more harsh and aggressive, utilising keyboards more to create a dark gothic industrial sound which compliments the vocal tones of Andrey Kusnetsov. Savage recordings
Fuzz magazine, Russia by Alexander Krasovicsky Pleasure area CDR			This is the promising band, but not on any account in the commercial sense. In this case I faced with a problem that the quality of the record doesn't correspond to the creative potential of the musicians. In other words, the quality is much lower, than it could be. As I can judge, the root of their music comes from synthie-pop. Well, I'm not an expert on this genre, but it was very interesting to listen to this record - guys can think and play good. However, the manner of the vocalist (such pathetic deep recitative tunes) reminded me all the lot, including gothic. But it's not bad, not bad. They will go far. On a club level, of course.
Blissaquamarine by Kim Harten Pleasure area CDR			This is a CDR but looks to be factory pressed, and has impressive colourful artwork. Red Rum are a Russian band who play an original, inventive kind of music that would be easiest categorised as experimental rock, but such a vague description is hardly adequate for such a unique sounding band. The songs have bits of psych, prog, goth, spacey electronics, the more adventurous side of indie/alternative, and other quirky/surreal elements that seem to come from no outside influence. Definitely a band with their own ideas, who are not driven by fashion but by creativity. Excellent stuff! Blissaquamarine
Fuzz magazine, Russia by Alexander Starostin Let me live in prison of my days CDR			This is a rather curious psychodelic experimental formation. It's hard to imagine how their live concerts would look like, since inspite of almost garage vivacity, their recordings are obviously distorted on computer. In the whole, it reminded me BUTTHOLE SURFERS - as if Gibby Haynes has become addicted to gothic-rock. Guitar noise, tremble, passages, everyday sounds... I can't judge the quality of their english texts, but it's unimportant in this context. The texts are rather killing, which is confirmed by reading the band's name backward. Although Stiven King has nothing to do with it. If guys keep on the same way, then sooner or later we'll know about them not only from Demo rubric.
Savage recordings Let me live in prison of my days CDR			New band RED RUM arrive with three tracks from their most recent recording. Fresh from St. Petersburg, Russia, RED RUM combine a unique and cutting sound with the striking vocals of Andrey Kusnetsov. Savage Recordings are proud to be involved with this band. Savage recordings
Evelyn Records Let me live in prison of my days CDR			I found it to be a very interesting CD and is very professionally performed (you guys obviously know your instruments well). I particularly like the diversity of the guitars, and the drumming is very good too. And the writing of the tracks is very innovative and, I thought, energetic. I think you would make a very good band to see live in concert though. Evelyn records
Ebus Music by Carsten "Mr.Ebu" Olbrich Let me live in prison of my days CDR			You sound very unique, a kind of dark-psychedelic-indie-groove-rock with interesting electronics here and there. Not sooo well produced... Different people - different tastes. Go on to make the music you like !! That's the main intention of "Independent. Ebus music
Blissaquamarine by Kim Harten Let me live in prison of my days CDR			This is utterly bizarre, surreal music ... whilst it has hints of existing genres such as prog rock, indie and goth, the actual end result is far removed from any of these styles. The music leaps and jerks all over the place - but in a good way. It definitely won't appeal to people who are just after safe, commercial music, but if you want something new and challenging this is definitely it. Some of the most original music I've heard in a long while. Blissaquamarine