THE ORIGINS OF RUIN

Many rate their previous effort higher, perhaps becasue that's when the discovered these guys, this was my first introduuction and I can tell you this is their best (.....IMO). The fullness of Time has a couple of strong tracks but I've gotta say the others lose me

Ray Alder's quite lacklustre start to the album belies the great melodies that unfold and stick in your head after a few listens. The US hasn't produced such mature prog-metal for a while, ok Symphony X deserve aclaim but I can't get past the Pantera-isms and mythology. Redemption take 'normal' lyrics about 'feelings', loss, love, shopping, etc and set it into great songs with meaningful vocals and spectacular musical interludes solos and rythmns.

If you've been pining for Fates Warning to release something with a bit more 'meat' in it, then this is the album to listen to.