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Much like Riverside's shocking and compelling debut, the third record from rising US stars Redemption boasts some impressive artwork, managing to capture the essence of the music by looking just like it sounds. This band really picked up the pace after their somewhat underrated first album and its subsequent follow up The Fullness Of Time, and with the addition of some impressive names (Ray Alder from Fates Warning on vocals, Bernie Versailles from Agent Steel on the axe, and Prymary's Chris Quirarie batting the skins), Redemption have become a force to be reckoned with in the Prog Metal scene, offering it something new with each release, something that is quite unlike all that came before.

Moving away from the standard sound of their first two records, The Origins Of Ruin is a very dark album, one full of bleak lyrical narratives, epic but melancholic melodies, swirling guitar and keyboard interplay, and some of the most emotional vocal performances the genre has ever witnessed. Despite being the vehicle of songwriter/guitarist Nicolas Van Dyk (that's the man behind the keys on the recent Fools Game release, folks), Ray Adler takes center stage, belting out some truly mind-blowing melodies with unrivalled passion and sincerity. Sounding like a cross between Dream Theater, Steel Prophet, Circus Maximus, Iron Maiden, and of course, Fates Warning, tracks like "The Suffocating Silence", "Bleed Me Dry", "Man of Glass", and the tender "Memory" make Redemption worthy of the hype, producing songs that not only stick around, but leave a mark after listen number one, striking a chord with their immense structures and sublime instrumentation, but also with their assured conviction and gentle fragility.

Sure, it's a long, emotional journey, but it's one all fans of Progressive Metal should take. With their best, most affecting release to date, Redemption are right up there with the kings of the scene playing tight, proficient, melodic Prog-Power, and despite touring with Dream Theater in the States, their profile still isn't big enough. You need to hear this band, people. So get on it.