Published: February 24, 2025 · 10:24 PM EST
For Fans Of Killswitch Engage, Lamb of God, Metallica
North Dakota’s heavy metal powerhouse, Shotgun Facelift, released their third full-length album, Red River Flood, on January 17, 2025. Following the success of their 2021 release Dakota Blood Stampede through Eclipse Records, the band returns with a cathartic, emotionally charged collection of nine tracks that embody their journey through adversity, loss, and resilience.
Known for their visceral live performances and raw emotional energy, Shotgun Facelift’s latest album channels the profound struggles the band endured in the last two years. Guitarist Matt Person reflects:
"As far as the music, there’s a maturity. I think that came with the powerlessness we all went through. I’ve never felt so f*cking powerless as I have in the last year. There’s life and there’s death, and lately all we’ve known is death. It drove us to our knees and put us through our tears. Thing is, we went through it all together, and that chemistry is something I’m really proud of on this record."
Fellow guitarist Damian Goulet adds:
"The whole thing for me that comes out with this music is complete destruction, then rising out of the floodwaters. The journey is the song that brings you through it. Every song on this record has its own emotion for the cumulative whole."
Art Meets Emotion
The album artwork, created by vocalist and lyricist John Huber/Alexus LaRoux, captures the essence of Red River Flood: a conceptual tapestry woven from the band’s collective input. The imagery complements the album’s emotional depth, juxtaposing their artistic vulnerability with a primal, ferocious sound.
Track Highlights
Red River Flood swirls through its nine tracks with relentless intensity, each song a harrowing storm that leaves a haunting impression. The album is a catharsis, offering listeners a chance to confront their own struggles through Shotgun Facelift’s raw and unfiltered sound.
The Band
Shotgun Facelift’s lineup consists of:
Damian Goulet: Guitars
Matt Person: Guitars
Curt DeCamp: Bass
Jody Smith: Drums
John Huber/Alexus LaRoux: Vocals/Lyrics
