Shane Henderson, best known as the vocalist for the Philadelphia-based pop-punk band Valencia, dropped a “surprise release” for his solo project, Promise Of Redemption, today. Before & After is a collection of songs that were written during, and immediately following, the sophomore release of When The Flowers Bloom…, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2017.
There is a raw, engaging quality to these tracks — some in their demo form and others reimagined as b-sides. The aesthetic lends to an intimate experience with a fresh perspective that will feel familiar to those who have followed the endeavors of Henderson’s solo project.
Promise Of Redemption was revived after Henderson experienced a multitude of personal tragedy in the mid 2000s. In a press release sent to us, Henderson says “When The Flowers Bloom… was an album of songs that were written in the wake of tragedy. These were songs not initially meant for public release and were a gateway to a type of therapy I still thank my lucky stars for: music.”
Without knowing any backstory, one can feel the emotion and cathartic release experienced in the music. “In the advice of my friends and family, and my outlook that music heals in the toughest of times, I decided to put this record out to the world in hopes that my experience and my ability to put that experience to music could help others dealing with loss in any capacity, even if it were just one lyric – it would mean that my efforts contributed to a positive life force into the world during the darkest of personal days”.
Promise Of Redemption will be playing two shows, in celebration of the holidays and 10th anniversary of When The Flowers Bloom…, on December 29th and 30th with special guest Vinnie Caruana (of The Movielife and I Am The Avalanche). Both shows will be held at Bourbon & Branch in Philadelphia, PA.
What are your thoughts on this surprise release from Promise Of Redemption? Are you a long-time fan of Valencia just finding your way to Henderson’s solo project? Check out Before & After anywhere you get music and let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!
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