Redemption - The Origin Of Ruin

Year of Release: 2007
Label: InsideOut
Catalog Number: IOMCD 273
Format: CD
Total Time: 57:16:00

If I'd only be given the space of one sentence to describe Redemption's music I'd say : "imagine Liquid Tension Experiment with vocals." I guess that sums up a great deal of what can be expected. If you approach the instrumental section separate from the singing then it most certainly includes some very technical parts that are very demanding. Based around the genius of composer and guitarist Nicolas van Dyk but above all the vocal talents of Fates Warning frontman Ray Alder, this new The Origins Of Ruin is already the band's third output, yet their first for Inside Out. Previous singers have included Rick Mythiasin (ex-Steel Prophet) and Corey Brown (Magnitude 9). In the summer of 2004 it was Ray Alder who asked to become Redemption's full-time singer next to his stint with Fates Warning and Engine, rather than be the guest singer he was earlier on.

With Redemption in 2003 and The Fullness Of Time in 2005, the band members know each other "inside out," which results in powerful yet detailed arrangements, placing the band high on the list of contemporary prog metal outfits. By adding Agent Steel axeman Bernie Versailles, Prymary drummer Chris Quirarte, and newcomer Sean Andrews (formerly of Henning Pauly's Chain project) on bass to the fold, Redemption has found the ideal line-up to deliver their engaging music to their maximum ability. (For live purposes keyboard player Greg Hosharian will be joining the band as well). There's some Threshold to be found, some Jadis, some Enchant, but above all well crafted compositions driven by melody rather than meaningless solos. By combining elements from the worlds of prog metal, power metal and melodic metal, Redemption has created a sound for the younger generation as well as the older music lover in need of more daring rock outings.

Also, where lyrical content is concerned, the band has taken its ideas one step further by taking on subjects such as human weakness, the missing of communication, deceit and accepting bribes, fanaticism and intolerance, self-doubt, angst, hope and love. In some cases all that's needed is a solitary piano and Adler's voice before the rest of the band joins in, as is clearly shown with "Blind My Eyes." Portnoy fans will be delighted to hear Chris Quirarte's contribution during the speedy "Used To Be." The Origins Of Ruin contains the perfect mix between hard parts and much softer and delicate passages. For sure the entire Redemption spectrum is packaged in the final track "Fall On You," which starts in a quiet acoustic way before evolving towards real heavy and back again. Produced by Tommy Newton (also known for his work with UFO, Helloween, Ark) the emphasis on this third album lies on the band's own sound, its own identity. One of these trademarks is rooted in taking on apparent musical contradictions. From the very early start for this new album Van Dyk wanted to combine a lot of elements that normally you wouldn't associate with each other. There's heavy and aggressive music yet with an emphasis on melody; dark and brooding but with underlying positivity; complex and most certainly progressive but ultimately song-oriented. It's these kind of contradictions which, combined with the huge talent on display at the various instruments, create a true redemption in the world of rock!

Apparently there's also talk of an extended version of this album including two covers as bonus tracks being "Precious Things" by Tori Amos and UFO's "Love To Love."

Tracklisting:
The Suffocating Silence (6:37) / Bleed Me Dry (6:55) / The Death Of Faith And Reason (4:51) / Memory (9:30) / The Origins Of Ruin (2:47) / Man Of Glass (5:05) / Blind My Eyes (5:55) / Used To Be (6:08) / Fall On You (9:24)

Musicians:
Ray Alder - vocals
Sean Andrews - bass
Nicolas Van Dyk - guitar, keyboards
Bernie Versailles - guitar
Chris Quirarte - drums

Discography:
Redemption (2003)
The Fullness Of Time (2005)
The Origins Of Ruin (2007)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin VA

Added: March 19th 2007
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website: www.redemptionweb.com
Hits: 4722
Language: english