To say that Redemption’s I Am The Storm (AFM Records) is chock full of technically proficient playing and complex yet inviting compositions would be an understatement. There is no question that Nick van Dyk is a master of his craft. I Am The Storm just cements that fact. 

With Redemption, van Dyk and his bandmates, fellow guitarist Simone Mularoni, bassist Sean Andrews, drummer Chris Quirarte, keyboardist Vikram Shankar, and vocalist Tom S. Englund created a powerful album that actually produces a calm meditative state in the listener. 

Strangely, I Am The Storm is good for relaxing. The dulcet tones of the album lull one into a state of languor that allows the listener to be fully enveloped by the compositions.

The songs are dense, in a good way. There is a thickness and richness, like the perfect southern pound cake, to each track. From the blistering guitars to the precise drumming, to the lavish and sweeping keyboards; it all coalesces into a bounty of aural consciousness. The album is heady. I Am The Storm is not an “outside” the body experience as perceiving the album takes place inside of the listener’s head. 

‘The Emotional Depiction of Light’ is one such instance. The song would be perfect in a Broadway play. It’s like the rising action song where the lead actor takes the stage for a solo to bare his soul to the audience. The lights come up and the colours are swirling. The song is a gut punch that takes your breath away. It leaves the listener with an anticipatory feeling of positivity. 

‘The Emotional Depiction of Light’ is a song I would have loved to give to Jerome Robbins to see what magnificence of choreography he could create with it. 

The album also has two interesting covers, one by Genesis, ‘Turn It On Again’ and the other by Peter Gabriel, ‘Red Rain’. Overall, Redemption’s I Am The Storm is a moving, multifaceted album. Progressive metal fans will find a lot to enjoy while listening to this album. 

Buy the album here:

https://shop.afm-records.de/redemption/

6 / 10

VICTORIA ANDERSON