The Art of Loss Redemption 2016 Metal Blade Records Redemption are a Progressive Metal band from the USA. Redemption’s music is very technical and pushes more towards the more Neo-Classical side of Progressive Metal than the heavy side. Redemption are melodic enough to be appreciated by Metal fans who dip in and out of the genre and for die-hard fans who are well versed in Progressive Metal. The Art of Loss is the 6th studio album by Redemption and is the long awaited follow up to 2011’s This Mortal Coil. The Art of Loss sadly doesn’t feature long time guitarist Bernie Versailles, who unfortunately suffered an aneurysm and has been replaced, although only hopefully temporarily by Simone Mularoni from Italian Progressive Metal band, DGM. As well as Mularoni, guitar duties are also helped by a host of Megadeth alumni in the shape of Chris Poland, Marty Friedman and Chris Broderick. The production of The Art of Loss was handled by Tommy Hansen along with guitarist/keyboardist Nicholas van Dyk and they have managed to create a Progressive Metal record that sounds clinical and clear, whilst also being warm and welcoming. The Art of Loss is very precise, each instrument is clear in the mix, allowing Redemption to show off their complex patterns, time changes and virtuoso style. It should be noted that the keyboards, an instrument which can get overlooked and at times lost in the mix, can be heard perfectly which is great considering how much they are used in the creation of Redemption’s sound. The opening title track on The Art of Loss, was also chosen to be the single and it features Chris Poland on the guitar. Poland’s tone during the closing guitar solo is identifiable instantly and was no wonder why The Art of Loss was chosen as the single. The Art of Loss is melodic and catchy even with its rather ambiguous lyrics questioning the availability of a happy ending. Even without Versailles, Redemption still manage to come up with the goods. As mentioned above, The Art of Loss is an album of complex time changes, mastered easily by drummer Chris Quirarte. Quirarte has a very interesting way of drumming and behind the lyrics and guitar playing is someone who is holding everything together, putting his own stamp on each song, almost as if he won’t be overshadowed. As sublime as the drumming is by Quirarte, The Art of Loss belongs to the stringed instruments, the playing of bassist, Sean Andrews, guitarists, Nicholas van Dyk along with Mularoni, Poland, Friedman and Broderick are phenomenal throughout, swinging form acoustic finger-picking melodies to full-on metal assault of tapping and sweeping. The Art of Loss would have made a decent instrumental album alone, but the vocals of Ray Alder are extremely good, they’re not exactly ground breaking, but they are melodic and it is the parts of The Art of Loss with Alder singing that are most memorable. Redemption have dedicated The Art of Loss to Versailles and have wished him all the best and a speedy recovery. You get the feeling that Redemption have played their souls out with The Art of Loss. The songs are well crafted and the lyrics fit very well, even with the overly religious overtones of Slouching Towards Bethlehem, That Golden Light and Thirty Silver aside, The Art of Loss still sounds great. The cover of The Who’s Love Reign O’er Me is great and features Armored Saint vocalist John Bush lending is voice to do more than a passable impression of Roger Daltrey. However, it is the longer songs on The Art of Loss which at times fail to hold your attention, especially the 20 minute At Day’s End which begins with an acoustic fingerpicking pattern reminiscent of A Farewell to Kings by Rush. All in all, The Art of Loss is a great album with a good sound to it. If you’re a fan of Progressive Metal, don’t bother with Dream Theater’s The Astonishing, save yourself some time and buy The Art of Loss instead. 8/10 Adam The Art of Loss (Redemption)
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