Volz embraced the opportunity to make music in a different way than he ever has before. "Personally, this record was my turn to grab the reins. This album is, with no offense meant to any of my former bandmates, the chance to do everything I've always wanted to do." While past studio time with his bands may have taken considerably longer and was likely rife with a number of strong, artistic personalities coming together, sometimes clashing, sometimes making musical magic, the recording process on "Redemption" took two weeks, the fastest recording experience of Volz's career. "I have never recorded that expediently. The musicians we worked with were extremely professional and productive. It all flowed very well and everything fell right into place."
Volz's label, Rock Ridge Music, gathered a who's who of rock to work on the album: Matt Chiaravalle (Kittie, Crossbreed, Warren Zevon) and Jason Spiewak (Five.Bolt.Main) worked in both a production capacity and as players on the record. Also performing on the record were: Danny Schuler (Biohazard), Chris Vitali (Orange 9mm), Johnny Pisano (Ryan Adams, Marky Ramone, Jesse Malin), and Rich Smalley (The NightRats, Looker). The album was mastered by Geoff Ott (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains) at London Bridge Studio in Seattle.
Says Schuler of the recording process: "I've done a lot of session work, and really enjoyed playing on this record. Chris and the guys were great, made me feel comfortable. The songs came together so quickly, the music basically wrote itself. All I had to do was listen. Being involved was a pleasure." Adds Spiewak: "Our goal from a production standpoint was to deliver on Chris's vision."
Volz, who is based in Louisville, Kentucky, began his rock career in the band FLAW, which was signed to Republic/Universal Records. As part of FLAW, he released two albums that sold almost half a million copies, before being unceremoniously dropped in late 2004. Picking up the pieces with former FLAW drummer Ivan Arnold, Volz continued to rock with Five.Bolt.Main, which came together in 2005 and released a studio album ("Venting", which sold over 22,000 copies) and a live record on Rock Ridge Music before calling it quits in early 2007. In a sort of band flashback, between the time spent recording "Redemption" and its release, Volz's first band FLAW has gotten back together, and he's been on the road with them throughout the Midwest this spring and summer.
"The greatest gift I have in this world is the ability to express myself through music," he says. "I wish for nothing else but the ability to continue with that. It is my life." Volz is very excited about the new material. "We had a great team working on the record, and it's giving me a chance to fully express myself in a solo capacity," he says. "I've put a lot of time and effort into the material for this album, and it's based on stuff I've worked on for years. The songs are somewhat of a growth process for me as an artist, but I'm looking forward to getting it out there for people to hear it."
Redemption
Chris Volz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I broke apart the average statue of mould, don’t you blame me.
You better sit down, shut up, do what you’re told, then you’ll see me
And realize we’re all made up of old souls, as we should be.
I see the reflection, it’s not a rendition of what I could be.
Another redemption about the affliction of the things I see.
Inside the addiction, allowing the fiction that’s engulfing me.
There’s nothing left that we should conquer untold, we’re a meagre mess.
With all the averages that seem to be sold, it’s a simple stress.
What’s left for you to heed inside of the fold, hope you do your best.
Dig up the rest and start anew as you’re told, just forget the rest.
I see the reflection, it’s not a rendition of what I could be.
Another redemption about the affliction of the things I see.
Inside the addiction, allowing the fiction that’s engulfing me.
I need the reaction and it’s inside me.
I’ve worked so damn hard to put things in their place;
I can’t leave, I’m staying right in your face
I see the reflection...
I see the reflection, it’s not a rendition of what I could be.
Another redemption about the affliction of the things I see.
Inside the addiction, allowing the fiction that’s engulfing me.
I need the reaction and it’s inside me.
I see the reflection, it’s not a rendition of what I could be.
Another redemption about the affliction of the things I see.
Inside the addiction, allowing the fiction that’s engulfing me.
I need the reaction and it’s inside me.
The lyrics to Chris Volz's song Redemption seem to speak to the idea of not conforming to society's expectations and being true to one's self, even if that means being abrasive, angry, and cold. The singer expresses that they have broken free from the confines of the average mold and encourages others to do the same. The verse "you better sit down, shut up, do what you’re told, then you’ll see me, and realize we’re all made up of old souls, as we should be" suggests that the singer values individualism and authenticity over conformity and obedience.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on their own struggles with addiction and the challenges of separating reality from fiction. The line "inside the addiction, allowing the fiction that’s engulfing me" highlights how easy it can be to lose oneself in unhealthy behaviors and thought patterns. However, the singer seems to be searching for a way to break free and find redemption from these afflictions.
The repeated chorus "I see the reflection, it’s not a rendition of what I could be. Another redemption about the affliction of the things I see. Inside the addiction, allowing the fiction that’s engulfing me. I need the reaction and it’s inside me" suggests that the singer is introspective and aware of their own flaws and struggles, but is determined to overcome them and find inner peace.
Line by Line Meaning
So what if I’m abrasive, angry and cold, you can’t change me.
I am who I am, and neither your judgment nor your efforts to change me will be successful.
I broke apart the average statue of mould, don’t you blame me.
I refuse to conform to societal norms or expectations, and I will not accept blame for it.
You better sit down, shut up, do what you’re told, then you’ll see me
And realize we’re all made up of old souls, as we should be.
Stop trying to control me and instead recognize the inherent wisdom and value in each of our individual experiences.
I see the reflection, it’s not a rendition of what I could be.
Another redemption about the affliction of the things I see.
Inside the addiction, allowing the fiction that’s engulfing me.
I need the reaction and it’s inside me.
I am recognizing and confronting the negative patterns and illusions that have been holding me back, and seeking a transformative response from within myself.
There’s nothing left that we should conquer untold, we’re a meagre mess.
With all the averages that seem to be sold, it’s a simple stress.
What’s left for you to heed inside of the fold, hope you do your best.
Dig up the rest and start anew as you’re told, just forget the rest.
Society has failed us, leaving us in a state of hopelessness and despair. But instead of succumbing to that, we must focus on our individual growth and take control of our own destinies.
I’ve worked so damn hard to put things in their place;
I can’t leave, I’m staying right in your face
I am committed to staying true to myself and challenging those who try to stand in my way or hold me back from my potential.
Contributed by Lily C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@GameTimeBarney
Still here 2020
@kustomhooligans
Im so glad Chris recorded this album. He's definitely in my top 5 favorite singers, and lyricist along with Corey Taylor, Ivan from 5FDP, Tim Armstrong, Scott Russo(unwritten law), Brent Smith (shinedown), James Hetfield. Chris is by far the most underrated singer of the last 15 years. God, I wish Ivan or Amy Lee would contact him for a duet. This guy's changed so many people's lives and he deserves to be on the same level as the people mentioned above. Chris or someone from their band gave me their 2 song sampler around 2000/01 when I worked at Harpo's in Detroit. Then I bought their album Through The Eyes when it came out and I can still listen to that album today and find new things I love about it, that I didnt notice before.
@peruloadout3936
The problem was with the people he surrounded himself with.. Bands are a team, just like any other group effort out there. His team did not perform on his level, therefor he never got to take off like the others you mentioned. Most, if not all, great bands are exactly that..great BANDS. One man in the rock world cannot get it done by himself...at least it's very rare.
@syndreasiv6670
Kustom Hooligans THIS SONG THOUGH! 🙌🙌🙌 THAT CHORUS THOUGH!!! 🙌🙌🙌
@mikerealundergroundmusic8057
Your songs give us hope brother love from greece
@clayman9385
Great stuff Chris Volz! Indianapolis, IN fan here.
@jesusglez.2314
great song!!
@link999991
Chris Volz is overlooked on every level. Chris doesnt get enough credit where credit is due. His bands are rock solid without a doubt. Flaw was once praised by Godsmack. Flaw and Chris Volz are vastly underrated for the past 20 years. His music and songs are very well put together, unlike these fake rock bands now. People should take notice to Flaw's Music and Chris's other two bands as well, Five Bolt Main, his solo work. This was music ahead of it's time and should have gotten noticed on all kind of musical levels period.
@dannycomellas
Flaw and Chris's music is very much of its time in that it never did anything particularly different from their peers. What they did do was just execute the formula fantastically. They were just damn good at what they did.
The problem is, they were just a bit too late in coming out with their sound, and for whatever reason, Universal Records promoted Godsmack and 3 Doors Down much more heavily (to much greater sales) than Flaw. It's a shame. That first Flaw record is an all-timer in the genre.
@DreamScapeDronie
This is a great song! I have followed Flaw for years...The difference for me is in the sound production quality, it is no where near as full and well produced as Flaw was. That can make or break any band, you right away feel it or you don't...If this was recorded and produced the same way that Flaw was this would be 100 times better and have done way better. Still a great song writer.