REDEMPTION

This album is excellent in many facets and is certainly a respectable debut, but without a doubt the greatest weakness is the vocals. They come across as weak and uninspired and are very low in the mix, I suspect to further mask their inadequacy compared to the rest of the virtuosity on the record. It's certainly not to hide any lyrical shortcomings, as the songwriting is excellent. The first 4 tracks are based on a Stephen King novel, and the last track is a 24 minute epic that accurately re-tells Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes. Each piece contains musical passages that perfectly capture the emotion of the lyrics.

It is only with the release of 2005's 'The Fullness of Time' that we see what this band is truly capable of. Ray Alder's vocals bring the music to life with richness and emotion that is so sorely lacking in their debut effort. I would pay a great deal more than the price of a typical CD to hear this album completely remastered with Ray Alder on vocals. I'm giving this a 3 of 5 stars, but with Alder doing all the voice work I think it would approach a 5.

This is still a very good prog metal album, and a worthwhile listen for any fan of the genre. It's an absolute must for those who enjoy 'The Fullness of Time'. You, too, will long for 'what might have been'.

Share this REDEMPTION review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to viperjr98
• Report this review (#50232)
• Buy REDEMPTION music online with PA partners
• Show all REDEMPTION MP3/Stream
• Go to REDEMPTION page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Redemption page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for REDEMPTION related discussions