Redemption - The Fullness Of Time

Year of Release: 2005
Label: Sensory
Catalog Number: SR3027
Format: CD
Total Time: 57:29:00

Regret, despair, jealousy, rage, hope. How do you put into words your deepest and darkest emotions? Redemption, a progressive metal band from the USA, has not only done this, but also composed the perfect blend of guitar driven prog metal to accompany the cathartic experience that is their second album, The Fullness Of Time. Every range of human feeling and emotion is expressed both lyrically and musically making this release stand head, shoulders and torso above the competition and other bands in this field. While there is a multitude of quality progressive albums this year, Redemption separates itself with its ability to pull the listener into their dark world filled with all of the feelings we repress, the feelings we fear. The musical dynamics match the emotional words and paint a vivid picture that is melancholic yet hopeful.

Musically speaking, this is heavy. It's not quite Bay-Area Thrash heavy, but at times it's not far off. Guitarists Bernie Versailles and Nick Van Dyk provide the intense, yet melodic assault that many prog listeners will not be familiar with. With crushing rhythm guitar riffage and some very tasty alternate leads, this is a shredder fan's dream. Nick Van Dyk also surprises many here with his keyboard and piano work. His feathery touch on songs like "Despair" and "Transcendence" completely belies his metallic guitar work. What really makes the music work on so many levels is the balance of dynamics. There are many heavy tunes balanced out with piano driven songs, fast pounding sections mixed with quieter, almost unplugged parts, and all of these transitions are seamless and smooth. The production is completely flawless as Tommy Newton was in charge of the mix down.

The new lineup of the band includes prog metal legend Ray Alder of Fates Warning and Engine. Ray has always been known for having perfect pitch and a warm, inviting voice. He's strayed from that style in the last few years, but this is a definite return to form and a return to greatness. He has never sounded better. The tone is still perfect and he's writing some of the best vocal melodies he's ever done. You can tell he feels comfortable not only with the material but with the band as well. You can just feel he's hanging out with his friends making an album as his performance feels loose and stress-free. His soulful and emotive delivery is perfectly in place and is needed to carry across the messages the lyrics convey. Ray hasn't sung like this since A Pleasant Shade Of Grey.

What words are left to say when you've passed up your own influences and heroes? The members of Redemption need to think of a few because this release has instantly put them in the upper echelon of progressive music. The human psyche is a powerful tool and is essential if your goal is to establish a connection between musician and listener. The Fullness Of Time connects on several levels and is quite a journey down the darkest of paths. Hopefully this will spark a new era of prog metal and inspire other bands to follow suit. They have captured what is possible in progressive metal when you DON'T try to sound like Dream Theater. They have shown great song writing comes from the soul. They have created the best album of the year.

Also released by Massacre (MAS CD0491)

Tracklisting:
Threads (5:43) / Parker's Eyes (6:15) / Scarred (7:56) / Sapphire (15:55) / The Fullness Of Time: I. Rage (5:01) / II. Despair (3:20) / III. Release (5:16) / IV. Transcendence (7:59)

Musicians:
Ray Alder - vocals
Nick Van Dyk - guitar
Bernie Versailles - guitar
James Sherwood - bass
Chris Quirarte - drums

Discography:
Redemption (2003)
The Fullness Of Time (2005)
The Origins Of Ruin (2007)
Snowfall On Judgment Day (2009)
This Mortal Coil (2011)
Live From The Pit (2014)
The Art Of Loss (2016)

Frozen In The Moment - Live In Atlanta (2009)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin VA

Added: August 6th 2005
Reviewer: Scott Pierce
Score:
Artist website: www.redemptionweb.com
Hits: 2417
Language: english