REDEMPTION Scraps European Tour Plans

Guitarist/songwriter Nicolas van Dyk of the Los Angeles-based progressive metal band REDEMPTION has issued the following update:

"I am sorry to say that we are faced with the reality of having to cancel REDEMPTION's intended European shows the summer.

"Part of our unique sound comes from our vocalist, Ray Alder of FATES WARNING.

"As a longtime fan of FATES myself, I have always maintained that REDEMPTION would not interfere with Ray's commitment to FATES, and we have worked very carefully and diligently since Ray joined REDEMPTION in 2005 to ensure that both bands would be able to record and perform without conflict.

"We intended to play several shows in several countries this summer in support of our new CD, 'Snowfall On Judgement Day'. Our management and local promoters in Europe worked hard to line up some great shows that we were very much looking forward to playing. Originally, there was no conflict, even when FATES announced some special shows and festivals to commemorate the 20th anniversary of their fantastic 'Parallels' CD. However, some additional shows were then added on FATES' schedule. We intended to carry on and simply reschedule some of our dates, shortening the tour to ensure that there would not be a conflict. Again, our management and local promoters worked hard to ensure we'd be able to do this. It became economically more difficult, but REDEMPTION was prepared to accept that since we really wanted to play for our fans in Europe.

"As of a week ago, we still intended to move forward. However, after considering it, Ray determined that the schedule — which would have involved him performing headline sets with us, then taking a very long flight, having only a brief time to recover before performing headline sets with FATES, then having to fly back to Europe and perform again — is simply too much to take on. There's just no way to do it while performing at the level that I know Ray wants to.

"So I'm left with the unfortunate reality that we're not going to be able to play Europe this summer.

"Please understand we've done everything we can to find a solution — but none were available to us.

"We look forward to coming to Europe at another time, and thank you for your interest and support."

on February 4, REDEMPTION WAS interviewed for an episode of "Hard" on the AUX music channel out of Canada. The six-minute segment, which includes performance footage, can be viewed below.

REDEMPTION released its fourth CD, "Snowfall on Judgment Day", on October 6, 2009 through Inside Out Music. The album was mixed and mastered by Tommy Newton, who produced the group's last two CDs, at Area 51 Studios in Celle, Germany. The artwork was once again created by Travis Smith.

REDEMPTION is:

Ray Alder - Vocals
Nick van Dyk - Guitar, Keyboards
Bernie Versailles - Guitar
Sean Andrews - Bass
Chris Quirarte - Drums
Greg Hosharian - Keyboards

REDEMPTION released a concert DVD, "Frozen in the Moment: Live in Atlanta", in late February/early March 2009. The disc contains a five-camera, high-definition shoot of the band's ProgPower USA VIII festival appearance in Atlanta, Georgia in October 2007. In addition, there is a 12-minute video and photo tour diary set to the band's previously unreleased instrumental from the DREAM THEATER songwriting contest that REDEMPTION wrote back in 2003.