After a five-year hiatus, the Canadian prog rock band Mystery returns with their highly anticipated album “Redemption”. With their distinctive blend of captivating melodies, intricate instrumentals, atmospheric parts, and thought-provoking lyrics, the band once again showcases that they haven’t lost their ability to create intriguing music. The album includes eight tracks, with the shortest lasting about 5 minutes and the longest lasting just above 19 minutes. It is obvious that a diverse album like this needs numerous and repeated listens to get into it.
The production is rich, dynamic, and polished. The musicianship is impeccable, and the compositions are complex, melodic, and captivating on the whole. François Fournier’s bass provides a solid foundation, which is complemented by Jean-Sébastien Goyette’s accurate drumming, which drives the rhythm forward with vitality and accuracy. The guitar work of Michel St-Père and Sylvain Moineau is exceptional, seamlessly moving from delicate acoustic passages to blistering electric solos. Let alone the expressive voice of vocalist Jean Pageau.
All eight tracks include appealing melodies, sophisticated orchestration, atmospheric soundscapes, and progressive passages. Occasionally, the songs are more lyrical or emotional, adding more diversity to the final outcome. I won’t pick any personal favorites, as “Redemption” is the type of album that you have to listen to from start to finish several times to fully appreciate its emotive and artistic depth.
After several listens, I am certain that “Redemption” epitomizes the band’s progression and growth, confirming them as one of the genre’s most underrated acts. Mystery should have been widely recognized in the prog rock scene, but I think it’s never too late to make it.
In a nutshell, “Redemption” exemplifies the band’s progression and constant devotion to pushing their own musical boundaries even further. Prog rock enthusiasts, and especially fans of the band, will find themselves immersed in the attractiveness and complexity of “Redemption”.
