Redeemer vs. Menchen

What are everybody's thoughts on the two new projects from Bill Menchen, Redeemer ("One Way") and Menchen ("In The Light")? I think both are good - actually, quite good in places! - but by no means great.

Menchen brings the heavier and darker feel of the two (much of its material is mid-paced) while Redeemer features the rawer, edgier and more high energy sound (reflected in quite a few upbeat pieces). It also must be noted that Robert Sweet breathes new life into the material on both albums, which were mostly made up of songs that were previously recorded.

I rank "In The Light" a slight notch ahead of "One Way" in that its material is a bit better and think the vocals of Ken Redding are stronger. But "One Way" is certain not without its share of fine moments.

Currently at work on the reviews and hope to have them online this weekend.

Thanks,

Andy

I haven't heard the Redeemer project yet. Not sure I am going to get it as I already have all those songs.

alldatndensum wrote:

I haven't heard the Redeemer project yet. Not sure I am going to get it as I already have all those songs.

Dude, it has trombone! It's gotta be better!


I bought a copy of In The Light, signed by all four members of the band. It's on its way. As to One Way, I suspect they're re-recording all of the Redeemer/Rev Seven, so I'll wait for those.

As I've said before, In The Light is a result of a Rev Seven + Redding thing, back in 1993-1994.

I thought "In the Light" was pretty decent. Musically I think I prefer the first Menchen release "Red Rocks" just a bit over the ITL.

I have Bill's previous Redeemer re-recordings (on the Watermark label). I played them quite a bit when I first got them but have kind of grown tired of them (along with the Rev Seven stuff). I think I prefer Bill's music when he get's someone else to sing.

Quote :

Dude, it has trombone! It's gotta be better!

Ummm....NO! Just no. I am even more wary of that now that I have asked Bill about how much trombone was used and he did not answer. That tells me I should probably skip this.

alldatndensum wrote:

Quote :

Dude, it has trombone! It's gotta be better!

Ummm....NO! Just no. I am even more wary of that now that I have asked Bill about how much trombone was used and he did not answer. That tells me I should probably skip this.

I don't think you checked back on his page… he said he used a bit during some mellow spots on "In Your Hands". It's not a trombone solo, it's just a quiet addition.

The second Menchen CD is already sold out. 100 copies disappear quickly, don't they?

I went ahead and got the Redeemer. Robert Sweet plays on this? You cannot tell it. His drumming is just bare minimum and lacks feeling compared to what he's done with Bill before. The album, to me, just sounds like Bill redid a couple of solos and made his vocals a bit more processed and slick. Overall, I wish I had just stuck with the Watermark Records versions.

"In The Light", however, is a fine album. OK, they need Tony Franklin on bass, but it really comes off as a band--not just another Bill Menchen project. Menchen SERIOUSLY blows Redeemer out of the water by a long shot.

Having listened to In The Light as well, I think they need Tony Franklin's bass tone and mix. Red Rock sounded huge. Thing is, though, they should've called it "Redding Seven" because that's what it is/was - Rev Seven with Ken Redding on vocals.

I really like Remember My Chains, Man of Pain, King or Liar, Crucified and all of the Rev Seven/Redeemer covers. The rest is ok but not as notable as the songs I mentioned - or Menchened.

It doesn't hurt that I got an autographed pick from Bill, and one of Oz Fox's "pre-signed" picks, with the CD.