2007, InsideOut
The latest from progressive metal outfit Redemption proves to be another successful record in the band's history. The Origins of Ruin is filled with what you'd expect from Redemption: melodic, soaring vocals, metal-style guitar riffs with virtuoso-quality solos and effervescent keyboards are the primary ingredients to the mix. For a prog metal album, The Origins of Ruin is actually relatively short, clocking in at just under an hour. This isn't to its detriment, though, nor is it necessarily to their benefit. None of the tracks run long enough to grow boring or outplayed,
Redemption demonstrates their regard for melody in all elements of their music — even drummer Chris Quirarie has a grasp of the concept, and even with the limitations of his instrumental choice manages to express it, passed through a rhythmic filter. The guitar riffs here are hardly the riffs you'd expect from a thrash metal group; they're dynamic, interesting and melodic. The bass playing is skillful, and while not often an element put up front for display, it does fit well between the guitars and the keyboard.
The solos performed in The Origins of Ruin aren't outlandishly long, but guitarist and keyboardist Nicolas Van Dyke, guitarist Bernie Versailles and bassist Sean Andrews keep them going for long enough to show they're not afraid to make their skill publicly known. Redemption shows their technical skill throughout the release with guitar, bass and keyboard solos making appearances throughout The Origins of Ruin, as one would expect in progressive metal.
Vocalist Ray Alder, also vocalist for another prog metal outfit, Fate's Warning, is nothing but melodic, never delving into needless screaming and shouting. At times, Alder seems almost to be secondary to the guitars and keyboards, especially considering how low his voice sometimes is in the mix — it's sometimes almost lost beneath the two guitars, the bass, and the keys. Yet, despite this, the vocals are unmistakably a key element to the music; they provide for some of the most interesting moments on this album and play undoubtedly well with the rest of the music.
Redemption has provided an interesting, well-crafted progressive metal album with The Origins of Ruin that's essential for fans of the genre and would make a nice addition to the collection of any music aficionado.