Red Sun Rising – “Polyester Zeal” [Album Review]

Take the memorable vocal and guitar melodies, anthemic choruses and occasional grit of the 1990s and filter it through fresh eyes of promising new alternative rock quintet Red Sun Rising and you get 2016’s Polyester Zeal, whose breakout single “The Otherside” gained mass appeal in late 2015.

Comprised of Mike Protich (vocals/guitar), Ryan Williams (guitar), Tyler Valendza (guitar), Ricky Miller (bass/vocals), and Pat Gerasia (drums), the Akron, Ohio band was signed in the fall of 2014, following a sold-out show in their hometown, by independent music label Razor & Tie. I would agree that “Otherside” is a fitting choice for a first single, with its obvious nod to grunge veterans Alice in Chains in the song’s gritty intro, which precedes a strong, soaring chorus. The opener “Push” is equally impressive, with Mike’s powerful and rich vocals layered thickly on top of an intense, driving tempo. Other stand-outs are “Amnesia”, “Emotionless” and the haunting and eerie aural flavor of “My Muse”.

No new ground is broken on this effort, which of course is not a bad thing, as seems to be the stigma. Many well-crafted melodies and lyrics, and extraordinary vocals make for a very memorable journey. They make good use of the ‘verse-chorus-verse’ formula here, and you’ll most likely find yourself humming a chorus or two without realizing it, well after the disc is done. A mind-blowing effort? No. But a decent one nonetheless.

Polyester Zeal Track Listing:

01. Push
02. Amnesia
03. The Otherside
04. My Muse
05. Emotionless
06. Blister
07. Worlds Away
08. Unnatural
09. Awake
10. Bliss
11. Imitation

Run Time: 42:45
Release Date: October 21, 2016

Check out the track “Emotionless”