Cries of Redemption “This Is What It Feels Like” is not just another original single; it’s a carefully calculated artistic statement that marks a bold turning point for the long-running recording project. Framed as an intentional A/B test, the track explores how far Cries of Redemption can stretch its established DNA while still remaining unmistakably COR. Familiar comparisons to Evanescence or Lacuna Coil may surface on first listen, but this release quickly proves it is more interested in evolution than imitation, carving out a sound that is theatrical, aggressive, and strikingly self-aware.
At the heart of this transformation is Maria Duque, whose performance defines the emotional and sonic identity of the track. Her chorus work is the undeniable centerpiece: a towering six-voice harmony that blends Broadway-scale drama with the raw force of NuMetal. Anchoring the track’s emotional core is a haunting lyrical refrain “This is what it feels like when you scream, but still choose breath, This is what it feels like when you dance, with what you left” a line that distills the song’s essence into a moment of raw clarity. It captures the tension between collapse and control, survival and surrender, mirroring the song’s broader narrative of endurance and self-reclamation without ever tipping into melodrama. The result is a “brutal elegance” strings swell, guitars hit hard, and Maria’s voice commands attention with precision, power, and clarity. This is not simply strong vocals layered onto a track; it is a fully integrated performance that reshapes how Cries of Redemption sounds and feels.
What makes This Is What It Feels Like especially compelling is how clearly it spotlights Maria Duque’s growing role within the project. Over the past year, her influence has expanded beyond performance into an increasingly active co-producer presence, helping guide arrangements, dynamics, and tonal direction. This single feels like a showcase by design, inviting listeners to experience the evolution of Cries of Redemption through her voice ; confident, fearless, and transformative.
Founded in 2007 by songwriter and guitarist Ed Silva, Cries of Redemption has always operated with a music-first philosophy, quietly building a legacy long before today’s instant-content culture. With This Is What It Feels Like, COR honors that history while stepping decisively forward. Experimental, cinematic, and emotionally charged, the single stands as one of the project’s most defining releases to date, and a clear statement that Maria Duque is now central to the future of Cries of Redemption.
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