Ray Alder is Redemptions New Vocalist
Sensory Records recording artists Redemption announced that Ray Alder,
legendary vocalist of progressive metal icons Fates Warning and of his
solo project Engine, has become Redemptions vocalist. He is currently
recording vocal tracks for Redemptions second CD, tentatively titled
The Fullness of Time, scheduled for release in early 2005.
Im incredibly excited that Ray is our singer, commented Nicolas van
Dyk, Redemptions primary songwriter and guitarist/keyboardist. Hes
always been my favorite vocalist in progressive metal and his voice
sounds amazing with the new Redemption material.
Alder and van Dyk have been friends for some time. Alder was a guest
musician for one track on Redemptions self-titled debut (released on
Sensory in 2003), and he joined the group on-stage at Atlantas
ProgPower festival in September of that year to perform this song. The
two also collaborated previously on a track on the first Engine CD.
When writing began for the upcoming Redemption CD, the band had planned
to work with Corey Brown (Magnitude 9 and Section XVI) who had stepped
in to sing for the band at ProgPower. However, that changed when Alder
heard the new material.
When I heard the new songs that Nick had written, they immediately
struck me as really heavy, and progressive but more focused at the same
time, said Alder. Not to take anything away from the debut, but this
CD is a big step forward. Theyre just great, heavy songs and I knew
it was something I wanted to be a part of.
I want to emphasize, Corey Brown is a talented friend and a true
professional, said van Dyk. The decision to work with Ray is in no
way indicative of any discord with Corey, whose performance with us in
Atlanta was awesome and who possesses an amazing voice. I was fully
prepared to work with Corey and I would have been very happy with him
in the band. But there was no way I was going to turn down the chance
to have Ray in Redemption. Its a unique opportunity to work and
perform with a vocal legend, as well as a close friend. I think Rays
voice will take Redemption to a truly special level.
Alder, of course, remains the vocalist for Fates Warning (who are
releasing their new CD FWX on October 5th) and Engine. Ray has a
fair amount on his plate, and before we began work on Redemption
together we had to make certain that his ongoing commitments to Fates
Warning and Engine would still allow him to commit himself to
Redemption as well, explained van Dyk. I didnt just want to hire a
session vocalist. Redemption is a band. Ray and I are comfortable
that Redemption will fit into his schedule, both for recording and live
performance.
Recording for the new CD, other than vocals, is nearly completed.
Its significantly heavier than the previous CD, but its very melodic
at the same time, said van Dyk. Its still quite progressive but I
think its more song-oriented and the songwriting, both musically and
lyrically, is much more mature than our debut. Im really looking
forward to peoples reactions I think its going to surprise a lot of
people. Well be letting people know a bit more about the CD,
including its production details and track information, as the release
date gets a bit closer.
In addition to van Dyk and Alder, Redemptions other members are
guitarist Bernie Versailles (Agent Steel and Engine), and bassist James
Sherwood and drummer Chris Quirarte (both of Prymary). Versailles has
been a member of the band since its inception, while Sherwood and
Quirarte joined for last years Prog Power performance and have been
members since that time.
The groups new CD will be released by Sensory Records, a division of
The Lasers Edge. The targeted release date is spring, 2005.
Sensory Records recording artists Redemption announced that Ray Alder,
legendary vocalist of progressive metal icons Fates Warning and of his
solo project Engine, has become Redemptions vocalist. He is currently
recording vocal tracks for Redemptions second CD, tentatively titled
The Fullness of Time, scheduled for release in early 2005.
Im incredibly excited that Ray is our singer, commented Nicolas van
Dyk, Redemptions primary songwriter and guitarist/keyboardist. Hes
always been my favorite vocalist in progressive metal and his voice
sounds amazing with the new Redemption material.
Alder and van Dyk have been friends for some time. Alder was a guest
musician for one track on Redemptions self-titled debut (released on
Sensory in 2003), and he joined the group on-stage at Atlantas
ProgPower festival in September of that year to perform this song. The
two also collaborated previously on a track on the first Engine CD.
When writing began for the upcoming Redemption CD, the band had planned
to work with Corey Brown (Magnitude 9 and Section XVI) who had stepped
in to sing for the band at ProgPower. However, that changed when Alder
heard the new material.
When I heard the new songs that Nick had written, they immediately
struck me as really heavy, and progressive but more focused at the same
time, said Alder. Not to take anything away from the debut, but this
CD is a big step forward. Theyre just great, heavy songs and I knew
it was something I wanted to be a part of.
I want to emphasize, Corey Brown is a talented friend and a true
professional, said van Dyk. The decision to work with Ray is in no
way indicative of any discord with Corey, whose performance with us in
Atlanta was awesome and who possesses an amazing voice. I was fully
prepared to work with Corey and I would have been very happy with him
in the band. But there was no way I was going to turn down the chance
to have Ray in Redemption. Its a unique opportunity to work and
perform with a vocal legend, as well as a close friend. I think Rays
voice will take Redemption to a truly special level.
Alder, of course, remains the vocalist for Fates Warning (who are
releasing their new CD FWX on October 5th) and Engine. Ray has a
fair amount on his plate, and before we began work on Redemption
together we had to make certain that his ongoing commitments to Fates
Warning and Engine would still allow him to commit himself to
Redemption as well, explained van Dyk. I didnt just want to hire a
session vocalist. Redemption is a band. Ray and I are comfortable
that Redemption will fit into his schedule, both for recording and live
performance.
Recording for the new CD, other than vocals, is nearly completed.
Its significantly heavier than the previous CD, but its very melodic
at the same time, said van Dyk. Its still quite progressive but I
think its more song-oriented and the songwriting, both musically and
lyrically, is much more mature than our debut. Im really looking
forward to peoples reactions I think its going to surprise a lot of
people. Well be letting people know a bit more about the CD,
including its production details and track information, as the release
date gets a bit closer.
In addition to van Dyk and Alder, Redemptions other members are
guitarist Bernie Versailles (Agent Steel and Engine), and bassist James
Sherwood and drummer Chris Quirarte (both of Prymary). Versailles has
been a member of the band since its inception, while Sherwood and
Quirarte joined for last years Prog Power performance and have been
members since that time.
The groups new CD will be released by Sensory Records, a division of
The Lasers Edge. The targeted release date is spring, 2005.
