Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Music Review


Zahna, Red for War
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Zahna
Red for War



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Hard Rock / Rock
Album length: 10 tracks: 41 minutes, 3 seconds
Street Date: August 17, 2018


READER RATING:   


At a time when Christian rock--or rock in general--isn't the predominant force in music, it's refreshing when a new artist helps keep the spirit alive. And it's even more special when we're reminded that women rock as well as men do, screaming and all. Drawing both from metalcore and indie, Zahna, in her debut album Red for War, shows off her versatile voice with a passion that embodies both genres.

The album begins explosively with "Unshaken" as Zahna roars over menacing metal riffs. Her clean vocals are reminiscent of Paramore but are balanced by her impressive growls. The chorus is very catchy in its own right, and both types of vocal work well together. Lyrically, it's distinguished by having a John Donne quote epically screamed as a bridge. Dramatic? Sure it is, but it's also really cool to have a four hundred-year-old quote screamed at us with such conviction.

The next song, "Misery," while still solid, is not quite as memorable as the previous track. With a Theremin-laced opening, great drumming and another explosive chorus, the song has cool moments, though in other areas it falls flat. The first verse, for example, comes off a little cheesy as she raps in a style similar to Project 86's Andrew Schwab. She doesn't do a bad job, but it doesn't have the menace of Schwab's vocals, which seems to be what she's going for. On the second verse and bridge, however, she's back in her wheelhouse with full-on screaming.

Another iffy point comes on "Underneath," a track that struggles to find its own identity and, instead, sounds a lot like Comatose-era Skillet. Through the main guitar riff and the chorus, it's hard not to think of that album and feel a sense of déjà vu. This is a shame because, in the verses, she sings in a haunting indie style that brings Imagen Heap and Plumb to mind. Lyric-wise, there are well-thought out lines like, "My face is a wall / You see the fractions of glass / That make up my thoughts," which, along with vulnerable singing, pull the listener in.

Whatever shortcomings the previous two songs had, though, are more than made up for by "Divided Nation," a timely message about our society's tendency to get easily offended and lash out at everyone who disagrees. Here, Zahna throws some hard-hitting truth bombs, like, "Everyone's up in arms / Dying to be the right ones / As the grand stories of the media sell (You say and claim it, fabricate it, don't you lie to my face)." Her powerful delivery makes these words hit home as, no matter what side we're on, we can relate with the tension.

The mood changes on "With You," a dreamy, soaring ballad that shows off the indie chops hinted at in "Underneath." It's about the freedom and love she finds in Jesus, and her gratitude is heard through all the emotion she puts into the performance. It's a time in the album when we sit back and wonder how this song, with its mellow electronic vibe, fits with in-your-face hard rock, but it really does. Then comes "Drown," a song that doesn't have a memorable hook to make it stand out, and, all in all, is just okay. While "Your Gun My Knife" is harder than "Drown," it also functions as filler, ticking off some familiar rock and metal boxes without really distinguishing itself from the crowd. Even so, the atmospheric piano break in the middle and end is admittedly cool.

The final three tracks, "Dreamer," "Was I Bad" and "Edge of the Earth" give Red for War a satisfying conclusion. Both "Dreamer" and "Was I Bad" have great hooks, but, in the latter song, Zahna hits some seriously impressive high notes, showing what a vocal powerhouse she is. The last song, "Edge of the Earth" ends the album in a contemplative and hauntingly beautiful way, reminding all of us that our sins are forgiven: "When all else fails / You carry our sins back / To the edge of the earth."

Red for War, though not a perfect album, is a very solid debut for Zahna that shows her wide-ranging talents and reminds us that rock's not dead.

- Review date: 8/15/18, written by Andie Hardee of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Try Pop Culture Coffee!

 

. Record Label: RockFest / Capitol Records
. Album length: 10 tracks: 41 minutes, 3 seconds
. Street Date: August 17, 2018
. Buy It: Apple Music
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)
. Buy It: AmazonMP3

  1. Unshaken (4:11)
  2. Misery (3:45)
  3. Underneath (4:29)
  4. Divided Nation (4:06)
  5. With You (3:49)
  6. Drown (3:27)
  7. Your Gun My Knife (4:11)
  8. Dreamer (3:41)
  9. Was I Bad (3:35)
  10. Edge Of The Earth (5:49)
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 JFH Album Sample Player

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Try Pop Culture Coffee!

Search JFH



This Tuesday, June 3, 2025
SINGLES
Sixpence None The Richer The Needle and the Damage Done - Single [Flatiron]

This Friday, June 6, 2025
ALBUMS
CCV Hollow (Deluxe) (independent)
Ben Fuller Walk Through Fire [Provident]
Hopeful. The Wild One - EP (independent)
Christy Nockels King Who Never Sleeps; Anthems for Rest [The Fuel]
Pastor Mike Jr. God Showing Out - EP [Rock City]
Isaiah J. Thompson The Book of Isaiah: Modern Jazz Ministry [Mack Avenue]
Chris Whittington Bright Portal 2025 Remastered Version - EP (independent)

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down My Will - Single [BEC]
Pat Barrett Praise The Lord Forever - Single [Capitol]
Bill B. & Cyrus Sonata Kevlar - Single [Syntax]
bodie whisper and the wind (b+CL version) - Single [Provident]
Burial Extraction The Overseer - Single [Charon Collective]
Elan Brio I'm Satisfied (ft. Henry Israel) - Single (independent)
Aaron Cole NOBODY BUT GOD (ft. Parris Chariz and Jon Keith) - Single [RCAI]
Equippers Worship Living in Freedom (Live) - Single [DREAM]
Kirk Franklin Do It Again - Single [Fo Yo Soul]
Good Weather Forecast Pray - Single [DREAM]
Ic3rd & EJ Swavv Woke Up (ft. CJ Emulous & George.Rose) - Single [Syntax]
King David tha Vessel Consistant - Single (independent)
The Kingsmen Wish You Were Here - Single [Horizon]
Brandon Lake Daddy's DNA - Single [Provident]
Myles Maestro Flood (ft. Ace Savage & Shruumi) - Single [Syntax]
Mell Omii Wave - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Mr. Pilot - Single [Syntax]
River Valley Worship Time For Revival - Single [BEC]
Sleeping At Last The Piano (Original Score) - Single - Single (independent)
Roy Tosh Everything's Gonna Be Alright (feat. PEABOD) - Single [RMG Amplify]
Solachi Voz All I Need - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Genesis (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]
Ayiesha Woods I Have Hope - Single [Backsider]
Megan Woods I Believe You - Single [FairTrade]

VINYL
Ironwrath Master Storyteller Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, June 13, 2025
ALBUMS
Coqui Death to Your Ego [DREAM]
King's Hammer To Speak In Tongues - EP [Rottweiler]
Brandon Lake King Of Hearts [Provident]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - EP [DREAM]
War of Ages Eternal (15th Anniversary Edition) [Facedown]

SINGLES
CalledOut Music Worthy of It All - Single [Integrity]
Equippers Worship Garment of Praise - Single [DREAM]
Mainstream Worship Near - Single [DREAM Worship]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images