Though it's been five years since the release of their last studio album This Mortal Coil, it certainly hasn't been a quiet time within the Redemption camp by any means. Guitarist/keyboardist Nick van Dyk has had a successful recovery from his cancer scare, the band have played numerous live shows and even released the Live From the Pit DVD/CD set back in 2014. On a less positive note, guitarist Bernie Versailles had an aneurysm in late 2014 and is still in recovery mode, making him unable to take part in the sessions for their latest album The Art of Loss, forcing the band to enlist the help of notable talent such as Marty Friedman, Chris Poland, Chris Broderick and Simone Mularoni to assist van Dyk with some lead guitar work.
The end result is once again another spectacular progressive metal album from the veteran act Redemption, who have moved from InsideOut to Metal Blade Records with this release. As always, the name of the game is soaring, memorable melodies with just enough sizzling musicianship and challenging arrangements to entice the prog crowd. Lead vocalist Ray Alder, no stranger to prog-metal fans worldwide through his long association with Fates Warning, continues to impress within the Redemption line-up, as his powerful, melodic vocals perfectly saddle up next to van Dyk's crunchy riffs, textured keyboards, and the steady grooves from bassist Sean Andrews & drummer Chris Quirarte. From the melancholy, prog tinged "Hope Dies Last" (loaded with ripping lead guitar & keyboard solos), the upbeat & aggressive title track, the blistering "Thirty Silver", and the majestic, hook laden "The Center of the Fire", there's plenty of variety to be found on The Art of Loss every step of the way. With the list of guest stars, the guitar work is off the charts as you can imagine, and speaking of special guests, Armored Saint frontman John Bush lends his supreme talents alongside Alder for a stunning vocal duet on the legendary The Who song "Love Reign O'er Me". Throw in the incredible 22-minute epic "At Day's End", another vehicle for the wonderful vocals of Alder and more stellar musical passages, and you have another incredible set of songs from this veteran band.
The Art of Loss is a stupendous album, more proof that Redemption is easily one of progressive metal's most consistent bands and one of the genres best kept secrets. If your opinion that prog metal begins and ends with Dream Theater and Symphony X, then it's time you discovered Redemption, who have quietly been cranking out some of the best material the genre has seen over the last 13 years.
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1) The Art of Loss
2) Slouching Towards Bethlehem
3) Damaged
4) Hope Dies Last
5) That Golden Light
6) Thirty Silver
7) The Center of the Fire
8) Love Reign O'er Me
9) At Day's End
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