Redemption’s Ray Alder Isn’t Jaded in the Most Jaded City in the World

Redemption vocalist Ray Alder, who also fronts Fates Warning, is based in Los Angeles, a city with a reputation for being jaded and fast-moving. Yet on the band's third album, 'Snowfall on Judgment Day,' the singer reflects on plenty of universal human situations, like love, longing and loss, with a keen eye, all of which are set to a background of progressive, guitar-driven music.

"A lot of it has to do with relationships, love and loss, and the hope that one will find oneself again eventually," Alder told Noisecreep. "You would not know it, but the album is more uplifting and it's a look ahead to a better, brighter future. I write lyrics and it comes from relationships and personal viewpoints and living in L.A. There are plenty of things to write about, for sure. I have a voice recorder on my phone, so I hum a melody into my phone or I'll record a lyric idea."

One of the album's most potent and poignant songs is track two, 'Walls,' which deals with a person trying to tear down the walls of another, realizing he may have been responsible for erecting them. It's a powerful song -- set to an even stronger melody -- but it was guitarist Nick Van Dyk who actually wrote those words. Despite not penning them himself, Alder thoroughly enjoyed singing the lyrics. "We've all been through the same thing as adults," he admitted. "When he gave me that song, I was like, 'Wow.' It's a healing process."

'Snowfall on Judgment Day' is in stores now.