Red Cloud by Red Cloud: A Raw, Unfiltered Journey Through Rock and Soul
Let’s get one thing straight—Red Cloud isn’t your typical 2005 rock album. It’s gritty, it’s bold, and at times, it feels like someone just handed you a live wire. Hailing from Norway (yeah, that cold, moody place), this record doesn’t shy away from blending hardcore punk energy with pop/rock hooks and even some funk/soul vibes. The result? Something chaotic but oddly magnetic.
First off, let’s talk about the people behind the madness. Florian is basically everywhere here—he writes the lyrics, sings his heart out, plays guitar, and seems to be the driving force of the whole project. You can tell he poured everything into this album; there’s no holding back. Ole Marius Kristensen handles drums and graphic design, which tells me these guys weren’t messing around—they wore multiple hats because they had to. And then there’s Anders Salomon Lidal on bass and backing vocals, adding depth where it counts. Oh, and shoutout to Janne Andresen and Jostein Hallstensen for snapping photos that somehow capture the rawness of the music in still form.
Now, onto the tracks. There are so many songs on this album (seriously, 21 tracks!), but two stood out to me immediately: “Last Night on Earth” and “You Can’t Kill Me.”
“Last Night on Earth” hits hard right from the start. The opening riff grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. It’s got this desperate, almost apocalyptic vibe—like the world might end tomorrow, and all you’ve got left is tonight. Florian’s vocals are raw, cracking under the weight of emotion, and I swear, every time I hear those lines about running out of time, it gives me chills. This track sticks with you not because it’s perfect but because it feels real. Like, painfully real.
Then there’s “You Can’t Kill Me,” which flips the script entirely. If “Last Night on Earth” is doom-laden, this one is pure defiance. The beat slams into you like a freight train, and the chorus explodes with an energy that makes you wanna punch the air or scream along. It’s empowering as hell, especially when Florian belts out the title line—it’s like he’s daring life itself to take its best shot. Honestly, if this song doesn’t make you feel invincible, check your pulse.
What really struck me about Red Cloud is how unpolished it feels. These aren’t shiny, overproduced tracks designed to climb charts. No, this is music made by humans for humans. Sometimes the vocals waver, sometimes the instruments clash, but that’s what makes it authentic. It’s messy, sure, but so is life. And honestly? That’s why I keep coming back to it.
Here’s the kicker though—this album came out in 2005, self-released under "Not On Label." Fifteen-plus years later, it still holds up. Maybe it’s the honesty, maybe it’s the sheer intensity, or maybe it’s just Florian yelling his lungs out about love, war, and survival. Whatever it is, Red Cloud reminds me that great music doesn’t need permission slips or fancy studios. Sometimes, all it needs is a bunch of passionate weirdos willing to bleed into their art.
So yeah, give this album a spin. Just don’t blame me if it leaves you feeling a little too alive.
