So.... I pre-ordered the album... but I just couldn't help myself and I've actually listened to the promo cd (my friend got it, don't know how, methinks it may be illegal). Anyways, here's my thoughts if any1 are intereseted.
The album is superb. I'd say the best thing about this new album are the lyrics actually. Since my own mother is fighting cancer, the lyrics are something I can relate to in a way. It's a journey through cancer. The ups and some of the deepest lows. This mortal coil is a masterpiece in regards to the lyrical content and theme.
The songs are themselves very good. Now I have to say that they are heavier and darker than ever. While that can be nice sometimes, I really prefer The fullness of time or The origins of ruin type of songs. So I'm not willing to say that this is Redemption's best album, but that's mostly because previous albums were, in my opinion, some of the best prog metal ever recorded.
Every bandmember does a great job. I especially like the drumming and the vocals. chris quirarte is seriously underrated as a drummer. Now about the vocals, yes Ray's voice sounds a bit rough sometimes. But I still think this is some of his finest work. He's got emotion and character to his voice. I just love it.
Now my probably biggest problem with this release! THE PRODUCTION is the WORST on any of the Redemption albums. Now.. let me just say that it's not horrible or awful (thinking back to Nevermore's Enemies of reality album) but it's not that great either. And since the production was sublime on previous releases this really saddennes me, especially since I had really high hopes with Neil Kernon. What's wrong you ask? Well, it's just too muddy and sometimes it just sounds like the bass pushes all the other sounds into the background. Ray's vocals are pushed to the back, which is a real shame since, as I was saying, the lyrics and his performance are the highlights of the album. You can hear him better when the songs quiet down a bit, but on some of the faster songs he disappears. A real shame.
The guitar tone is another problem. On some songs the guitars sound really bad, (thinking the really fast part in Path of the whirlwind, or the intro to Let it rain), although other times the guitars do sound cool (thinking Noonday devil).
Now I may be imagining this, but I get the feeling the album sounds better towards the end. Don't ask me why.
Overall I'd give this album a strong 8 or maybe 8,5 out of 10. If the sound of the album would have been better this would have been an even better album and warranted a 9 out of 10.
whadda u think?
The album is superb. I'd say the best thing about this new album are the lyrics actually. Since my own mother is fighting cancer, the lyrics are something I can relate to in a way. It's a journey through cancer. The ups and some of the deepest lows. This mortal coil is a masterpiece in regards to the lyrical content and theme.
The songs are themselves very good. Now I have to say that they are heavier and darker than ever. While that can be nice sometimes, I really prefer The fullness of time or The origins of ruin type of songs. So I'm not willing to say that this is Redemption's best album, but that's mostly because previous albums were, in my opinion, some of the best prog metal ever recorded.
Every bandmember does a great job. I especially like the drumming and the vocals. chris quirarte is seriously underrated as a drummer. Now about the vocals, yes Ray's voice sounds a bit rough sometimes. But I still think this is some of his finest work. He's got emotion and character to his voice. I just love it.
Now my probably biggest problem with this release! THE PRODUCTION is the WORST on any of the Redemption albums. Now.. let me just say that it's not horrible or awful (thinking back to Nevermore's Enemies of reality album) but it's not that great either. And since the production was sublime on previous releases this really saddennes me, especially since I had really high hopes with Neil Kernon. What's wrong you ask? Well, it's just too muddy and sometimes it just sounds like the bass pushes all the other sounds into the background. Ray's vocals are pushed to the back, which is a real shame since, as I was saying, the lyrics and his performance are the highlights of the album. You can hear him better when the songs quiet down a bit, but on some of the faster songs he disappears. A real shame.
The guitar tone is another problem. On some songs the guitars sound really bad, (thinking the really fast part in Path of the whirlwind, or the intro to Let it rain), although other times the guitars do sound cool (thinking Noonday devil).
Now I may be imagining this, but I get the feeling the album sounds better towards the end. Don't ask me why.
Overall I'd give this album a strong 8 or maybe 8,5 out of 10. If the sound of the album would have been better this would have been an even better album and warranted a 9 out of 10.
whadda u think?
