“He descended from the dark skies, to free mankind from tyranny. The king will not bow down, in the face of evil.”

– Radical Redemption

The king of Hardstyle is back with a new album. A stunning 39(!) new tracks are featured on Radical’s new album: The Road to Redemption. This album proves Radical Redemption’s ability to provide both quantity and quality.

Over the years, Radical has developed his style, going through stages of intense euphoria as well as ear-bleeding raw. Radical even released a broad array of Hardcore tracks, working with some of the most notorious and infamous names in the Hardcore scene. However, Radical has always stayed true to his own musical philosophy – the ‘true radical’ sound. When listening to the album, you will be amazed by variety in tracks while staying true to that signature Radical sound design.

Radical Redemption has been a major influence to the Hardstyle scene. Like a lot of you, I have witnessed him grow from small clubs in tiny villages to prime time mainstage and huge international bookings. Even though his entry into the scene was met with some controversy – going as far as being accused of destroying the scene – the following Radical gained was unproportionate. I dare to go as far as to say that Radical arguably has the most dedicated fanbase in Hardstyle at the moment.

Here at Alive at Night HQ, we had an up close and personal listen to ‘The Road of Redemption’. Now, to be completely honest, I’m not really a Radical fan. However, this could only help in attempting to giving an unbiased review. So, with an open mind, a new car sound system, and a shitload of car rides, all tracks on the album have been carefully listened too and professionally reviewed. I would like to share with you some of the tracks I think really stood out from the album.

Paralyzed

Love the atmosphere! And so true. Who else has ever experienced sleep paralysis? Let me tell you, it’s the worst feeling, ever! Radical definitely managed to incorporate a fear factor in this piece of work, since it makes the hairs in my neck stand straight up every time I hear that melody. In my opinion not only one of the best tracks of the album, but one of the best tracks Radical Redemption has produced ever!

Exorcism

Now this is the very essence of drugs music. What a merciless banger. Spawned from the dark side of Radical, this monstrosity caught me by surprise. It’s hovering somewhere between a Hardcore and Industrial Hardstyle track, with some experimental elements. It also reminds me a bit of the older Radical Redemption tracks like ‘Helpless’ and ‘Brutal 3.0’. Definitely one of Radical’s more experimental tracks.

The Radical Dome

I mean come-on, it starts with Star Wars! The Star Wars influence is very strong in this track, but the final product is awesome! Who would have thought that a Star Wars theme and Radical Redemption sound design would mash so well together? Here we can clearly hear Radical at work; filling up the whole frequency spectrum from the lowest frequencies to the highest perceivable by the human ear.

Only Bass

This track is simply amazing. I love the mechanical vocal and the whole atmosphere around the track. The sound design is incredible, and I always think it very daring when an artist dedicates a part of a track to only kicks and kick-rolls. However, Radical does a pretty good job in the first part of the track in this. Now the second part is where it’s at. Dark and creepy, like in the old Minus is More days. Love the creepy synths and melody. More of this please!

Undercover – With Warface

Even though at first glance simplistic, this track really started to grow on me. I honestly don’t know what it is that makes it so addictive to listen to though. When the highly anticipated collaboration between Radical and Warface was announced, I was just as psyched and excited as everybody else. However, when I listened to Undercover for the first time, I was a little bit disappointed at the result. Until I started to listen to it again a couple of times. Now I just had to put it in this list, because not a day goes by that I don’t listen at least one time to Undercover while screaming “P-P-Put It Undercover!”, using my arms to signify every kick roll from 2.00 – 2.02. Awesome track!

The Saviour – With High Voltage

Oh yeah, Radical Redemption as I like to see Radical Redemption. This collaboration with High Voltage is everything that I want to be from these two titans working together. It’s dark, it’s rough, and it’s epic. It’s like Radical is trying to pass divine judgment upon all of us. It has some resemblance to tracks like ‘The Cross of Blood’ and ‘Gods Child’, which are a couple of Radical’s better tracks in my opinion.

All in all:

Wrapping everything up, there are some real pearls in Radical Redemption’s new album: The Road to Redemption. I think we can all agree that Radical is a pure mastermind in what he’s doing, and that he is a beast on stage – a true Rockstar. However, I do want to point out that I think it’s a shame that to me, it sounds like Radical is more and more appealing to the – what I like to call – Gangster rap side of Hardstyle.

The typical ‘Fuck me’ and ‘Motherfucker’ are found frequently on the album, and for me, that’s a minus. I do want to leave on a positive note though: I think it is simply incredible for a human being to be able to deliver such an amazing output with the time that has been given, and I think we all should pay our respects to the man that delivered us the true Radical sound. The Radical Redemption!

Stream ‘The Road to Redemption’ on Spotify – HERE