Review Summary: Hey, it’s Redemption!
Redemption play old school progressive metal: Dream Theater edition. This means that every band member is competing to fill up the most space in the album. Riffs are not simple flurries but rather snowstorms. The drummer is also present to hit every tom and snare available within his range with the fury of a Captain Falcon punch. Such skilled players, and such effortlessly technical guitar solos — what could go wrong? Not much really, though a couple important knick knacks take the backseat in I am the Storm. This notion highlights their well-oiled, spellbinding riffs and solos at a dreaded cost. The cost does not rock the ship too hard thankfully, though this is clearly Redemption on automatic. It is not a bad thing, but it’s also not especially worthy of glopped praises in a squishy manner. It is a Redemption album late into their career — no more, no less.
The bad? The vocals are one-note throughout the album, not literally one note, just in the same easy range. It’s solid, it works, he has a nice voice, and it is also a tad boring. Whereas the original OG singer displayed much emotion in the same range, the current frontman drives it into the ground. It’s not bad, just entirely one-dimensional. The songwriting is equally predictable, which is sad news bears. To counter such an apparent deficiency, further emphasis on engrossing instrumental sections occurs. Unfortunately, the remaining time in songs results in choruses played into infinity. If the choruses were memorable or the singing had more power… alas, it’s not in the cards. Prepare your ears for a heap of mediocrely creative songs, seemingly inspired by their album Snowfall on Judgement Day, but with less catchy melodies. It’s a nostalgic, old school prog metal sound as expected, but this is surely not one of their most memorable albums.
The way this review is going may suggest I wasn’t impressed with this album. Au contraire mon ami — I found much appealing. Redemption are skilled enough to continue dazzling in their old ages. Instrumental sections are pure fire, and I couldn’t be much more impressed to be honest. Those solos though —woof, I’m flabbergasted. These guys can still teach us a thing or two on how to prog. No death growls are needed, the spirit of Rush compels you, and is very much alive in this torch wielding, non-yielding, always appealing melodic metal group. It’s good vibes all around, but with enough heavy riffs and spanked drum pedals to remind the listener that Redemption are bloodthirsty beasts.
I’ve stuck with Redemption through their lifespan more or less, and I’m pleased to say this album does not disappoint (much). If one expected quality of their early era, they expected the wrong thing. For everyone else expecting an old band chugging away whilst a spray painting of heavy riffs occurs, such humans will find another solid album to add to their endless agenda. There’s riffs indeed and drums that go as drums do, and therefore this album slaps well enough. Not bad for a band that somehow still exists.
