Atomic Symphony
Redemtion

Tracks
1. Lost Eden
2. Abyss
3. Walk Through Fire and Pain
4. Breathing Rage
5. Face the Evil
6. Delusive Dreams
7. Fate of the Gods
8. Asylum
9. Shattered


Band:
Jasmin Baggenstos - Vocals
Marc Friedrich - Drums
Roberto Barlocci - Guitar
Thomas Spoegler - Bass
Carlo Beltrame - Keys


Discography:
Debut


Guests:


Info:
Composed, recorded and mixed by Atomic Symphony.
Mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios.
Artwork by Milan and Dario Hofstetter.

Released 2015-09-11
Reviewed 2016-01-27

Links:
bandcamp
youtube

An atomic symphony from the Alps of Switzerland is what I have to write about this time. It is actually an album that I should have thrown away a while ago since it is getting quite old now but it has lingered on in the playlist due to the cool cover artwork and now I have been listening to it a few times. It is the first album of this quintet that was formed all the way back in 2009 when they wanted to be a symphonic metal band but with some changes in line up and musical tastes they gravitated more towards the progressive metal genre maybe in a desire to emulate the great bands they enjoy listening to even though the press sheet says that they are looking to improve as musicians and that sort of thing. So what can I think about this album then? If it isn’t good I would be disappointed as that would be a waste of a great cover artwork.

It is progressive metal with some touches of the symphonic so some of their heritage lives on in their debut album; that is a good way to add more depth to the music. The singer is female giving them an interesting character to the album; she is not a soprano which could have been expected from looking at the band photo before hearing them. She sings with a more rock kind of style and has pretty strong authority in her vocal presence; that is a strong point I think. There are nine songs on the album and they show decent variation and there is a fair deal depth in the album, and I think it is a competent album that is solid all the way through. It is a good production, maybe not in level with the best but I would not describe it as something that weakens this release. It is relatively fresh even though it may not break any particular new ground; there are some fresh perspectives that definitely grab my attention as a listener.

Redemption is a very strong album in my opinion, the songs are dramatic, the emotion is good and the variation keeps you interested all the way through. And the vocalist is good, so there are many things to appreciate as a fan and I am quite glad I did keep it and finally listened to it. I think the songs can be described as interesting and maybe even captivating, I don’t have much negative to say about the album as I think the band does most everything well. I also think that they have good energy and depth so the album holds up well to repeat listening and the only little weakness that might be said to exist is the production that isn’t as fantastic as it is for many progressive bands. I think though that it is good enough and it is strong considering that the band has done well with this album that plays for almost one hour.

From that hour I have a hard time picking any favourite chapter among the nine we are offered as they are all really good and the album feels most exciting as a whole rather than picking out certain parts of it. I think that it is certainly an album you should look at as it is really, really good – well worth the effort.

HHHHHHH

 

Label: Independent
Three similar bands: Dream Theater/Ivanhoe/Evenoire
Rating: HHHHHHH (5/7)
Reviewer: Daniel Källmalm


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