Dynamics and darkness: 'This Is What It Feels Like'.

This Is What It Feels Like - A slow, burning anthem where atmosphere meets raw release.

Ed Silva, a songwriter and guitarist, started Cries of Redemption in 2007. It is a recording project that fiercely values music above all else and is totally independent. After performing in Atlanta's live circuit, Silva intentionally stays unknown and without social media, allowing the music to be the only way people know him. Playing with States of Matter first made him a great live performer before he started composing darker, more atmospheric music. Through platforms such as ReverbNation and Kompoz, Silva has united hundreds of artists worldwide in collaborations. The project is a mixture of modern rock, nu metal, and cinematic elements that, while controlled, still have a very forward, leaning sound that aims for longevity rather than hype.

This Is What It Feels Like is a story told with intent and carefulness.

Early on, it is clear that Cries of Redemption (COR) have a great handle on dynamics. Producer Billy Babcock surrounds the song with spacey guitar sounds that provide a broad emotional setting for Maria Duque. Her first appearance is gentle and almost ritual, like, enticing the listener into a floated, somewhat hypnotic, unawareness. As more and more elements are added to the music, the changeover to the chorus happens with great dramatic force, thus mirroring the theatrical darkness of Ghost and yet keeping the identity of COR.

The scream by Silva at the very centre of the song gives a sense of release rather than simply being an impact point. The reason behind the song's rise is actually its harmony: the delicate and the fierce are able to exist with one another without being overshadowed. With the help of the orchestral elements, multi-layered voices, and well-controlled tempo, the song displays that COR is not only about the sound power but also the emotional build-up.