Guitarist/songwriter Nicolas van Dyk of the Los Angeles-based progressive metal band REDEMPTION has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, which he describes as "a particularly bad form of blood cancer which is generally considered incurable and which has a five-year survival rate of 34%."

Nicolas' lengthy online post regarding his condition and prognosis can be found at this location.

REDEMPTION — which also features in its ranks vocal legend Ray Alder of FATES WARNING — will release its fourth CD, "Snowfall on Judgment Day", on October 6 through Inside Out Music. The album was mixed and mastered by Tommy Newton, who produced the group's last two CDs, at Area 51 Studios in Celle, Germany. The artwork was once again created by Travis Smith.

"Snowfall on Judgment Day" track listing:

01. Peel
02. Walls
03. Leviathan Rising
04. Black and White World
05. Unformed
06. Keep Breathing
07. Another Day Dies *
08. What Will You Say
09. Fistful of Sand
10. Love Kills Us All / Life in One Day

* Duet between Ray Alder and James LaBrie of DREAM THEATER

The track "Black and White World" is available for streaming on the REDEMPTION MySpace page.

A video teaser for the album can be viewed below.

Commented the band: "Musically, we have continued to grow and expand on the basic REDEMPTION formula. We have continued to push the envelope of heaviness combined with strong melody and emotional urgency in the music and I think the collection of songs is very strong, with some very in-your-face tunes that are among the heaviest in prog metal to some quieter, more elaborate moments, with technical thrown in where it belongs."

REDEMPTION is:

Ray Alder - Vocals
Nick van Dyk - Guitar, Keyboards
Bernie Versailles - Guitar
Sean Andrews - Bass
Chris Quirarte - Drums
Greg Hosharian - Keyboards

REDEMPTION released a concert DVD, "Frozen in the Moment: Live in Atlanta", in late February/early March. The disc contains a five-camera, high-definition shoot of the band's ProgPower USA VIII festival appearance in Atlanta, Georgia in October 2007. In addition, there is a 12-minute video and photo tour diary set to the band's previously unreleased instrumental from the DREAM THEATER songwriting contest that REDEMPTION wrote back in 2003.

REDEMPTION released its third CD, "The Origins of Ruin", in April 2007 via InsideOut Music. The CD follows up 2005's breakthrough release "The Fullness of Time", the band's first with FATES WARNING frontman Ray Alder, which generated tremendous critical and popular acclaim.