Is it just me, or does Red High seem to employ Rubberband difficulty?

I guess I may just be getting a string of terrible stages then. I'll keep testing with and without my major +attack gears (gloves/cape/rings). Maybe I need to get much stronger gear so the damage difference is even bigger so I can get definite results. I have no strong potential lines like +6%/+9% STR. X_x

Also, thanks for the NPC chat tip, Untradeable. I'll be spamming that button like mad at those stages.