Customer Reviews

Snowfall on Judgment Day

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3 star:		(2)
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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.

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!!

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!

With Snowfall on Judgment Day, Redemption recaptures the magic of their second album, their quintessential masterpiece, The Fullness of Time. The album is marked with a noticeable increase of level in the songwriting department, utilizing more addictive vocal melodies, dexterous guitar work, amazing rhythm parts, and great use of keyboards.

All of the songs are rife with Redemption's trademark riffery, slicing through melodic phrases of guitar harmonies and synth patches. Primary songwriter Nick van Dyk continues to impart corrosive riffs and melting leads alongside his rhythm guitar partner Bernie Versailles. More than prior releases, the interplay between the guitars is more elaborate, sometimes building from a single riff to mammoth soundcapes. A prime example of this feat is the second track "Walls" -- it starts off with eerie, industrial-like beats, but they're quickly replaced by wall-of-sound guitar harmonies, a fantastic chorus, and fuzzy bass lines. Alder really outdoes himself here, producing some of his most memorable melodies in Redemption.

The guitar work is solid on the whole record, but there are some pieces which deserve special mention. The use of eastern scales on "Another Day Dies", one of the heavier cuts on the CD, adds a cool texture to the riffs. It is also punctuated by a great bass line by Sean Andrews who fills each song with a strong low end. The song features Dream Theater singer James Labrie duetting with Ray Alder -- this is their first duet since Fates Warning's 1991 album, Parallels.

The incorporation of synths into the rock-solid guitar sound is seamless. New member Greg Hosharian does a great job on the keys, rendering the compositions more nuanced. His playing is subtle yet when the keys are brought to the front they make the songs all the more interesting. Sometimes it's a simple melody or a patch, but each song offers him enough space to lend it an extra dimension. On "Black and White World", the part where his atmpospheric patch slowly disappears under a storm of riffs and exquisite drum fills is stunning. Hosharian, unlike Nick van Dyk who performed the keys on earlier albums, has a more noticeable touch to the songs, particularly in the unison leads. The song towards the end sees him swapping lines with van Dyk, but he never steals from the piece, as he treads back and allows van Dyk to wrap everything up with a brilliant run-out lead.

This experiment is reintroduced on "Fistful of Sand", the album's heaviest song in terms of production. The guitars are atypical of any earlier Redemption material. They have a jarring and discordant effect, lending themselves to dissonant territory, and when they clash with the synths they create chaotic instrumental sections. This is also evident on "Leviathan Rising", which intentionally puts Alder's vocals to the back, and highlights dissonant guitar phrases over spoken male and female vocals, and the machine-like precision of drum (Chris Quirarte is a monster!) and bass parts. That said, Nick van Dyk still manages to divide the piece with his classic piano breaks and Alder's unmistakable vocalizations.

The two mandatory ballady songs are "Keep Breathing", fueled with so much emotion in its verses; and the closing number "Love Kills Us All / Life in One Day". The latter is the longest song on the CD. It shifts from calm piano interludes to momentous guitar passages and addictive vocal melodies. However, my personal favourite has to be "What Will You Say", though heavier, a song that carries on the classic Redemption ethic. Nick van Dyk is the first guitarist in prog metal that comes to mind when it comes to writing such personal, emotional tracks. The guitar solo in this song drips with sheer emotion, especially the finale where he borrows some bluesy licks for added tension.

The band chose to work with Tommy Hansen on this album. Hansen has given the music a less polished feel while keeping the clarity on the vocals and instrumentation intact. Also, unlike the previous album, this one carries more weight and purpose to its sound.

I still consider The Fullness of Time Redemption's finest hour, but this album certainly comes very close and even matches its intensity at times.

What a very, very fine album!
To be honest, i don't listen to a lot of "newer" metal bands (love the old stuff from the eighties, and over the years got interested in a lot of different styles..., especially psychedelic stuff)
But since i always kept listening to Fates Warning (still love them!) and a friend recommended me "This great band in which Ray Alder sang..." I decided to give it a try... And wow, what a nice, nice surprise! I don't really want to compare Redemption with Dream Theater... and i don't want to put Dream Theater down, but... FINALLY! A band just as interesting musically (for me anyway, and still different) and, thank God, with Ray Alder on vocals!! I kind of stopped listening to Dream Theater because of the vocals (and i always kind of wished that Dream Theater would ask Ray to sing on their albums) I don't think James LaBrie is a bad vocalist, his voice just doesn't do it for me... so every time i try again when Dream Theater releases a new one, and every time i just have to stop listening after two or three songs because of the vocals... sorry James...
What the hell, this is a Redemption review right...! Sorry, it's just kind of like my wish came true...
This is the first album i heard by Redemption and i ordered the other three as well, cannot really believe i missed out on them...
One point of criticism though is the production... I kind of miss the dynamics and on some songs the snare-drum sounds so electronic (triggered) that it seems like you're listening to a drum computer... Is this a new trend in metal productions? A new sort of compression that takes all the dynamics away? Kind of a shame... Hope Redemption will try to bring some depht in sound back when they record a new album... But anyway, i can get past that and enjoy this wonderful album...!!
Can't wait to hear the other ones...

The only thing there is to say about this CD is what my title says "JUST SICK!" Redemption just gets better and better with each release. This is hands down, one of the BEST progressive rock CD's ever released! GET IT! Then good luck getting it out of your player for awhile.

I own over 1300 CDs, and this one is one of the best.

I loved every previous Redemption CD, but everything I liked about them is even better on this CD. The melodic parts are more melodic, the heavy parts are heavier, the solos are better, the vocal melodies are better, the lyrics are better, the vocal performance is better, the production is better.

I bought about 40-50 CDs in 2009. This was the best one.

***HIGHLY*** recommended to fans of Dream Theater, Rush, Fates Warning, Symphony X, or really, to anyone who enjoys great music, especially in the rock or metal genres.

I became a Redemption fan after seeing and hearing them in concert during their tour with Dream Theater. I love the vocals that Ray Alder provides and the keyboards add something without being dominating. The guitars and drums are really solid and typical of top progressive rock acts. Redemption seems to have found the right balance of heavy and melodic within their music and it is a great listen. This album is really strong much like their last one (earlier not as strong esp the vocals) and I feel certain that if you are a fan of progressive rock this band will become one of your favs as it has mine. This disc rates very high in my regular playlist and spread the word that these guys are top notch !

Ever since I tried this new band a week ago, I've been thinking about how to analyze it for other buyers here on Amazon. First off, if you are a Dream Theater fan, you can stop reading now and buy this cd with confidence. I have all the DT Cd's and they have been my favorite band for about 15 years now, but I have to say -- at least right now -- Redemption's latest beats DT's latest. I'll revisit each in a few months to see which has the staying power. Fans of OSI, Frameshift, and Queensryche should also take notice, though this one tops anything I've heard from those bands. There is amazing musicianship all around but not over-done -- you better like a lot of good, hard guitar playing but it is always in context of the songs. Vocals are nearly perfect I think -- real singing, with feeling, no growling, or over straining, and it is NOT over-produced with effects or overdubbing (I disagree with another reviewer's comments about the need for more background singing). Drumming, keyboard...all awesome but you know, they are usually in such unison (and the CD so well produced) that most of the time, you're not focusing on instruments -- it is like one big (huge) unified sound. I hate to use the word "pop" but let's say, there is just the right blend of hook or catch to it. It also has a cool 1980's retro sound, especially in the vocals -- I can't put my finger on it (Journey? Asia?). Songwriting is really good -- symbolic, psychological, with a welcomed positive theme here and there. Well, I could keep gushing about this CD...but hopefully the above helps. I'm going to go add all their other stuff to my wish list now.

I am a fan of prog though not the most knowledgeable. Redemption is by far my favorite of the bands I have been exposed to. I stumbled upon their Youtube video for "Fall on You" from a previous CD and it immediately became my favorite song. When "Snowfall" came out, I bought it immediately and have not been disappointed. They are the complete package: complex, melodical music and though-provoking, heart-felt lyrics. To me, it is the lyrics that put them over the top. I like bands like Seventh Wonder, Shadows Fall and Symphony X musically, but lyrically they never grabbed me. Dream Theater has their moments, but these guys rarely miss. A strong CD from start to finish.