Snowfall on Judgment Day

Redemption | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 6, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Inside Out
• ASIN: B002N15LOO
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,772 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Snowfall On Judgment Day featues more mature songwriting than ever before and shows the band taking several steps beyond the quality of their previous output with their unique brand of heavy, melodic and emotionally powerful music. Redemption has clearly delivered their best album to date. Features Ray Adler (Fates Warning) on vocals and Bernie Versailles (Agent Steel) on guitar. James LaBrie (Dream Theatre) guests on vocals and the album was mixed by Tommy Hansen (Helloween, Jorn, Circus Maximus).

YEAR: 2009

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Redemption to the 10th power, October 6, 2009

By 

T. Reid "Very Critical" (NJ) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Snowfall on Judgment Day (Audio CD)

Redemption is back with a stellar performance. A beautifully written album comes to the masses. This is their best folks and I really mean that. A lot of people like to call a bands progression maturing. To me that's a label that is applied to bands that are young in age from conception. It's ridiculous when applied to bands like Redemption. These aren't kids in their lower 20's nor are they new to their craft. These are grown men. I feel that they perfected their sound here. That's not maturing; that's finding their place and presenting a well focused product. You will notice here how melodies intertwine in and out of technical riffing and simplicity. It's done so flawlessly that you have to rewind to hear that again. The transitions are remarkable. They are symbiotic, you can say. I found myself saying how in the world did they pull that off. This is not power metal like some people label them. At least I don't hear it here but it is Prog-Metal. This is a very emotional album and it's conveyed very well by Alder. On this album I KNEW where the choruses were on my first listen. The other albums I can not say the same happened. Here are two small problems I had with this album. LYRICS. Look I'm not going to be another fanboy here. Just because I praise this album to the heavens does not mean that I am going to overlook the fact that the lyrics are completely suspect at times. I like more of a poetic style. Second are background vocals. I want more. Ray sings with a smooth voice on Redemption albums. I feel his voice would benefit from extra vocals in the background that will amp up the feelings he is trying to get across as you are listening. People are saying that Ray can't sing like he use to. Silly rabbits. It's RAY ALDER. C'mon...stop it. This isn't Fates Warning people it's Redemption. Stand out tracks: "Peel", "Black and White World", "Keep Breathing" and "What Will You Say". Well put together album. Dare I say it....classic record? Prog-Metal fans should enjoy this.

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Judgement: Guilty of greatness!, October 7, 2009

By 

R. Marion (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Snowfall on Judgment Day (Audio CD)

I was fortunate to have been able to purchase an advance copy of this album at a recent music festival and could not wait to pop it into the CD player. Oh, am I ever glad I did!

"Snowfall on Judgement Day" is the latest masterpiece by prog-metallers, Redemption. And it in no way disappoints! Redemption consists of six mega-talented musicians, Ray Alder (vocals), Nick van Dyk (guitar, keys), Bernie Versailles (guitar), Sean Andrews (bass), Chris Quirarte (drums), and Greg Hosharian (keys), and their respective chops are all on prominent display. There are musicians and then there are these guys! Wow!

The first track, "Peel", begins innocently, softly, before quickly putting the double bass to work, treating your ears like a boxer's speed bag. Crunching guitars and driving synth join right in and the next thing you know you're hooked. While this is a heavy song, ladies and gentlemen, musically and lyrically ("I look into my eyes, and nothing gazes back, shadows without substance, fading into black") it by no means goes overboard and all the progressive elements for which Redemption are noted are present and accounted for throughout. Impossible not to tap the feet and bob the neck along to this number!

"Walls" keeps the riffage going along with a solid bass and drum groove. Synthesizers blend into the mix but choose to remain in the background to support the guitar work which takes center stage. Ray's voice sounds spot on and the listener can definitely feel the emotion, especially in the choruses.

"Leviathan Rising" sneaks up on you with a clever intro blending effects, fancy drum and guitar work, and timing changes. By the time you think you have figured out how this song is going to go you realize you were wrong. Bam -- right in the face with heavy guitars and drums! Foot on the accelerator, Ray's mighty voice giving it the gas, this is the musical equivalent of a car chase through city streets while dodging oncoming traffic. Just when you think the engine is going to blow the song lets you catch your breath with some nice piano work and then it's time to turn it loose musically again. Great guitar solos in this one! Someone definitely cut the brake cables on this tune!! If you like your power and your melody then "Leviathan Rising" will give you the fix you crave!

"Black and White World" starts with nice, soft piano work. Ahhhh, now the listen can catch his breath after the wild ride that was "Leviathan Rising". A nice bass line interweaves itself among the piano work and then a nice progressive drumbeat ensues with the bass complementing it nicely. After a couple of minutes the vocals blend right into what has evolved into a very nice progressive metal song which doesn't become excessively heavy at all. The melody is great and if you like your prog then you will like this. But for me this song is all about the words, which are quite emotional. If you've ever loved someone and pleaded with them to take a leap of faith and reach back out to you then this one hits home

"Let me in
This is too good to be wrong
Make me live again
And I will make you whole"

Wow. And when Ray Alder is singing this expect goosebumps!

Track five, "Unformed", starts off softly enough with gentle guitar and accompanying bass. But the softness gives way to crunch and meandering synthesizer that eventually combine to gallop right along with clever drum and bass work. The vocals seem particularly earnest in this song which explores the subjects of emotional pain and strength of will to overcome it all. Throughout the song the arrangement is a perfect blend of prog and melody with no particular instrumentation overly-dominating the others. Very well done and the six-and-a-half minutes of this number pass before you realize it.

"Keep Breathing" treats the listener to a soft guitar intro blended nicely with Ray's emotional voice reminiscing "Seems like only yesterday, I held you, and sang a song about your eyes." Mid-tempo drum and guitar work creep into the mix slowly before a fast pace, but not overly so, develops and the progressive chops of the band are showcased. This song carries significant emotional weight as the subject of love, the challenges thereof, and the resolve to battle for its success until the bitter end are the central theme painted by very stirring lyrics. As the song draws to a close the guitars and synthesizers are given freedom to roam and do so magnificently before the listener is drawn into the final verses of the song highlighted once again by Ray's impassioned vocals.

"Another Day Dies" wastes no time -- here come the guitars, drums, synth, and bass. Hold on tight because this is the sonic equivalent of that climb up the first big hill of the roller coaster as you contemplate the massive drop that awaits. And here we go.... Prog metal chops on fine display as musically we race along and up and down the tracks of the roller coaster. Nice vocal harmonies in this song too. You'd think a song described as I have would be excessively heavy and ultra-fast but it isn't. Rather it is a deft mix of fast, mid-tempo, and slow and just when a pattern emerges it shifts and then shifts again. When the guitar solo and double bass grab you imagine that big roller coaster corkscrew spinning you over and over and then.....ahhhhh......it slows you down enough to take one deep breath and then POW here we go again! So many tempo changes, so much of this and that going on that you are grabbed and held for the duration of the song! What a wonderful prog metal treat this is!!

"What Will You Say" starts of slowly with acoustic guitar and piano. Stirring lyrics about love and betrayal ensue and the music builds and weaves a perfect complement to the emotionally-charged vocals. These are the words you want to tattoo on the skin of the person that betrayed you:

"What will you tell him about me
Will you say that we were soulmates
And you knew our lives were meant to be as one
What will you think about
When you've a family all your own
Will you wonder where your other half has gone"

That's deep, deep stuff! The pain and questions of loss are so prevalent throughout that you can't help but be moved by these lyrics and how beautifully they are sung. The musical backdrop to the words is perfect and one can literally feel the heartache and the desire to confront the person who betrayed you, get in their face, and demand "Why on Earth did you do this to me??"

"Fistful of Sand" musically make its statement right off the bat. Driving guitars, drums, bass, and synth pummel the listener immediately. Eventually things evolve into a wonderful rhythmic crunch which is joined by vocals that are straight and to the point. This song will get that head bobbing for sure. Air guitar, anyone? Sitting still for this powerful number is next to impossible, so why even try? Guitar, bass, and drums share the spotlight as the synth, while in the background, accompanies and ties things together perfectly. And then the reins are taken off the guitar and a very nice extended guitar solo is unleashed which is tastefully done within the overall context of the song. There's not a lot of variation in the musical formula of "Fistful of Sand". Redemption make their point and make it will with this one!

"Love Kills Us All / Life In One Day" is the final track of this brilliant new album and, as it spans eleven minutes, has a lot to say both musically and lyrically. The song starts off slowly and showcases the emotion in Ray's voice. The song builds slowly while showcasing the band's chops, especially on the keyboards. Eventually the guitars, bass, and drums are turned loose and we have all the makings of a classic progressive tune. A masterful blend of vocals and instrumentation where each is given its proper turn in the spotlight, whether it be vocals up front with just enough music to create the atmosphere or vocals being entirely absent and the instruments are given liberty to take whatever directions they wish. But make no mistake, this song does not wander aimless and never becomes overly self-indulgent as many progressive songs become. This song was written with a clear definition, a clear purpose and is a remarkable creation. We have it all -- fast, slow, loud, soft, menacing, tranquil. This is a great way to close out an album! One of my favorite tracks!

I cannot recommend this album highly enough. This is masterful craftsmanship both musically and lyrically and this disc is going to spend a ton of time in the ol' CD player that is for sure!!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Judgement; Redemption delivers, October 10, 2009

By 

D. L. Worthing "Graphic Designer" (Arundel, Maine United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Snowfall on Judgment Day (Audio CD)

It's been a banner year for all us Progressive Rock fans with new releases by Dream Theater, Riverside, Porcupine Tree and now Redemption.
Snowfall on Judgement Day finds the band in it's finest hour.
This is a kick-ass cd. The follow up to the critically-acclaimed "Origin of Ruin" is 70+ minutes of remarkable music.
From the opening track "Peel" to the closing number "Love Kills Us All/Life in One Day" Judgement is by far their best release to date.
It even has a guest appearance of DT's James LaBrie on vocals with Ray Alder on the track "Another Day Dies."
Speaking of Alder, his vocals are amazing throughout the whole album, as well as the fantastic musicianship of Nick van Dyk, Bernie Versaille, Sean Andrews, Chris Quiarte and Greg Hosharian.
If you haven't got this disc yet, "what are you waiting for?" go get it!