Cries of Redemption, the recording project founded by guitarist and songwriter Ed Silva in 2007, has released its latest original single, “This Is What It Feels Like,” marking a significant step in the project’s musical development. Available on all major streaming platforms, this track features contributions from formally trained session vocalist Maria Duque, who collaborated on vocals for this release. The single delves into the unvarnished realities of long-term sobriety, portraying a path from the enduring “wreckage” of addiction to a resolute commitment to “live again,” emphasizing acceptance as a form of ongoing resilience.
“This Is What It Feels Like” serves as an intentional exploration by Ed Silva to refine Cries of Redemption’s distinctive sound. While past comparisons to Evanescence and Lacuna Coil have been appreciative, they have occasionally constrained efforts to establish a unique identity. Preserving the project’s NuMetal foundation, this release incorporates theatrical elements through Duque’s session work, including choruses with a “six-voice harmony” ensemble overlaid on a string arrangement, blending Broadway-inspired grandeur with intense emotional delivery.
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Ed Silva, responsible for all music and lyrics, guitars, bass, and instrument programming or sequencing, managed the production with precision. For this track, Duque provided her powerful natural voice across multiple harmonies, potentially indicating a direction for future vocal collaborations. The screamos, disclosed transparently, employ advanced voice modeling tools such as Audimee alongside other production techniques.
The song’s core message holds profound significance: “This song is a raw, unflinching exploration of long-term sobriety, revealing that even after years of abstinence, the internal ‘wreckage’ of addiction remains. It’s a journey from the haunting, permanent scars of the past to a defiant, yet fragile, choice to ‘live again,’ recognizing that healing is not erasure, but acceptance and conscious forward movement. It’s the profound, often unspoken truth that sobriety isn’t just about quitting; it’s about learning to live with the ghost.”
Established in Savannah, GA, Cries of Redemption adheres to a “music-first” ethos, favoring artistic integrity over promotional efforts. Silva upholds complete anonymity and avoids personal social media, allowing the work to stand independently. Rooted in the Atlanta music scene—where Silva performed at venues such as Smith’s Olde Bar and Dark Horse Tavern, featured on 96 Rock’s “Locals Only,” and engaged in over 800 Kompoz collaborations (700 initiated by him)—the project documents 19 years of sustained sobriety. Influenced by figures including David Gilmour, Adrian Smith, Billy Duffy, and John Frusciante, it functions as a digital archive for those navigating adversity.
This single represents the initial release featuring Duque’s session vocals, accounting for only 1% of their joint recordings. Silva anticipates the involvement of two-time Grammy-winning producer and former lead guitarist Billy Babcock to professionally oversee the extensive unreleased catalog. Historical highlights include the 2007 EP “From A Drunken Heart,” engineered by Kevin Rose at Elevated Basement Studio (limited to 10 promo copies), and the 2015 self-titled EP on Bandcamp.
Cries of Redemption employs a hybrid production method with matching studios in the United States (Georgia) and Colombia, utilizing specialized gear such as a custom Telecaster for Drop A, Schecter Demon for Drop B, and advanced software including Amped ROOTS, Waves Amplifier, Guitar Rig RX7, iZotope, and Reaper for mastering. No live performances are scheduled, though Silva remains receptive to future engagements with session musicians.
