Red Helen, best known as Wacken Metal Battle: South Africa 2014 finalists who went to represent the nation at the international finals in Germany, are headed to Cape Town for a few shows for the first time in two years.
Tour Dates:
22 October – The Rabbit Hole, featuring guests: OhGod and A Price on the Kings Head
23 October – Mercury Live, featuring guests: Last One Alive, Set for the Sky, Coded and Conduit
24 October – ROAR, featuring guests: Subject to Slaughter, Atlantic South, DevilSpeak and Beeldenstorm
Check out their Facebook page for more info:
www.facebook.com/RedHelen
Biography:
Rags to riches stories in which lucky, talented individuals rocket from humble beginnings to fame and stardom seemingly overnight, can be interesting reads. However a commonly found flaw lays in the writer’s reluctance to reveal the hard work, blood, sweat and tears that generally precede such overnight successes. The story of South African based Red Helen is no fairy tale of lucky breaks. It is a rather more detailed story of hard work, persistence and a keen resolve to reach their goals and become an international success.
Red Helen, formed in late 2008, constantly seek new and exciting opportunities to challenge themselves and expand on their already unique palette of musical influences and soundscapes. At their core is an unquenchable desire to constantly better themselves as professional musicians and performers – a testament to the progressive nature of their songs. The band hopes to challenge the musical norms and stereotypes set and exacerbated by a number of modern metal bands and musicians. Leaning to more specific stylistic references, Red Helen strive to create emotionally wrenching songs in the context of intricate rhythmic devices, catchy melodies and a harmonic symbiosis between vocalists and guitars.
Having performed all over South Africa in many different settings and towns, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and many more, Red Helen have been received extremely well nationally by crowds of eager fans. Besides their critically acclaimed live performances, they have also attained many achievements along the way. In 2014, front man, Brandon Pratt was named Best Vocalist at the first annual South African Metal Music Awards. The band has also proven to be a formidable opponent in battles, placing third in Justin Serrao’s “The Set Up” at Tanz Café in 2013, and being chosen as one of two “Bands of the Year” by local venue Rumours Lounge in the same year. In August 2014 Red Helen’s international debut came after winning the South African Leg of the Wacken Metal Battle. They had the honour and privilege of representing South Africa in the World Finals of the battle at the 25th anniversary of Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany, finishing in 6th place globally. Red Helen has had the honour of opening for Protest the Hero & Unearth at Krank’d Up Fest 2014, as well as opening for Protest the Hero on their South African tour in early 2015. Red Helen performed at the 21st Anniversary of South Africa’s legendary OppiKoppi Festival in August 2015 and are set to perform at the 2015 instalment of the Krank’d Up Music Festival featuring 36 Crazyfists & Monuments.
Red Helen are currently in studio, recording their highly anticipated debut album, “Trading Past for Pathways” with well-known South African producer Clinton Watts of Watts Productions. The album is currently scheduled for release in early 2016, and will be supported by a nationwide tour.
