Redemption - Redemption


Year of Release: 2003
Label: Sensory
Catalog Number: SR 3018
Format: CD
Total Time: 66:52:00

Redemption is the project of guitarist Nick Van Dyk, who also plays the bass and keyboards in the project, as well as having written or co-written all of the music. Nick describes his music as being dark, melodic, and progressive, citing such influences as Evergrey, Savatage, Iron Maiden, Kansas, and others. I do hear influences from those bands, and the music to my ears is a combination of darkness, cold-yet-melodic, and progressive metal. There is a modern, raw edge to the music as well and Nick draws from a varied pace of emotions to get his point across. The music varies in weight, tempo, and emotion as it flows through its nearly 80 minutes of metal onslaught. Of note, the 14:00 "Window Of Space" and the epic 25:00 "Something Wicked This Way Comes" showcase Nick's best writings, and where he is at in his musical influences.

The music runs the gambit of styles from slow, crunching power metal to tempo-changing prog metal, to sometimes Maiden-esque speed runs. It is guitar driven, with backing keyboards placed at vital spots for extra emphasis, or as an intro.

Nick uses a variety of well known musicians on his project, including Ray Alder (Fates Warning) who sings on a tune, and produces with Nick. Jason Rullo (Symphony X) on drums, Bernie Versailles on guitar, and on vocals is Rick Mythiasin ( ex-Steel Prophet ).

Also used in the project are Michael Romeo (Symphony X) and Mark Zonder (Fates Warning). Make no mistake, this is not a smorgasbord of musicians who got together and decided to release a jam session. Nick knew what he wanted to create, and set out to grab the musicians who would best help him make his statement. He plays guitars, bass, and keyboards on most of the tunes. The result is a disc that sounds dark and cold, melodic, crunchy, progressive and epic at times.

Rick Mythiasin, who is normally a high-pitched singer, has toned it down to a more melodic, mid-range tone that makes him sound eerily like John Arch (ex-Fates Warning). At times it's hard to tell that Rick Mythiasin is the singer because of the change in style, but he does pull it off well despite a few off-key moments, in addition to some straining moments. He stays well inside a mid-range during most of this disc, and the music does not seem to call for a high-pitched style.

Production is well done, especially in the guitar and drums dept. Clarity is precise, guitars are chunky and bass and drums are punchy and thick. Keyboards are placed back in the mix, and I'm sure this is intentional. I do find fault with the vocal production, as it sounds too far back in the mix, especially since Rick does have a "thin" sounding voice, he needs to be up front a bit more. At times, it is difficult to hear his words due to this, but I also think that the drastic change in singing style is causing this to happen as Rick is used to singing high and loud, and it's during these low passages that it's difficult to hear him clearly.

Nick van Dyk is clearly onto something here. In a prog metal world, where discs are being released at a high rate of speed, Redemption demands that you stop and listen intently as to what is being said here. This is certainly quality song writing, and quality musicianship that takes some time to absorb and fully understand, as most well-crafted prog metal discs do. Nick has gotten the formula down, the song writing in top rate, and the production is solid. At the time of this writing, a new singer for the band has been announced, Corey Brown (Psyco Drama, Magnitude 9) and is slated to front the band at live performances, and the next release. With all of this in place, the next disc is sure to be a monster. That said, Redemption commands a listen and respect. This is quality prog metal that has a statement to make.


Tracklisting:
Desperation Part I (5:55) / Desperation Part II (4:32) / Desperation Part III (5:44) / Desperation Part IV (5:08) / Nocturnal (3:51) / Window To Space (13:28) / As I Lay Dying (5:07) / Something Wicked This Way Comes (24:27)

Musicians:
Rick Mythiasin - vocals
Jason Rullo - drums
Nicolas Van Dyk - rhythm and lead guitars, bass, keyboards, and backing vocals
Bernie Versailles - lead guitars

Guests:

Ray Alder - lead vocals (2)
Michael Romeo - orchestration (1, 4)
Mark Zonder - drums (7)

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 US

Added: May 18th 2003
Reviewer: Larry "LarryD" Daglieri

Artist website: www.ivorygate.com/redemption/
Hits: 2072
Language: english

  

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