When your band contains instrumentalists who have previously been spotted strutting their stuff in the likes of
Fates Warning
and
Prymary
, you know that the "prog metal quotient" is going to be quite high. And that certainly proves to be the case with the fifth release overall by
Redemption
, 2009's
Snowfall on Judgement Day
. Added to all the chop-heavy metal is a heavy '80s metal vibe -- due to all the
Maiden-esque
guitar harmonies, thrash metal guitar chugging, and -- of course -- the unmistakable vocals of
Ray Alder
(who has been manning the mike for
since 1988). Cases in point include such technically demanding ditties as
"Walls"
"Black and White World."
And for anyone doubting how "prog"
is, a guest spot by
Dream Theater
's longtime vocalist
James LaBrie
(on the track
"Another Day Dies"
) should silence any doubters. ~ Greg Prato