Red

Red is King Crimson's seventh studio album, released in October 1974 on Island in the UK. It was recorded at Olympic Studios in London over July and August that year and produced by the band themselves. Only three members play on it: Robert Fripp on guitar and keyboards, John Wetton on bass and vocals, and Bill Bruford on drums. Q later named it among the 50 heaviest albums of all time.

The weight comes from layered guitar and keyboard overdubs, plus guests including former members Ian McDonald and Mel Collins on saxophones, oboist Robin Miller and jazz trumpeter Mark Charig. "Starless", first written for Starless and Bible Black, was judged too rough at the time and returns here in a long, refined form. "Providence" is cut from a live improvisation with the fired violinist David Cross. The lyrics dwell on anxiety, violence and dread, mirroring a band on the verge of splitting; Fripp ended it about two weeks before release. It charted modestly but is now counted among their finest records.