“This is What It Feels like” by Cries of Redemption :When Addiction Leaves Scars, Not Endings
These days not many of us are able to stay away from social media and fame, but tell you what, I know someone who doesn’t care about all those stuffs. Ma man here Ed Silva, the man behind Cries of Redemption, is not your typical modern musician. He doesn’t do selfies, yes you heard right. But wait not that only, he also hates posing for promo shots, and he has zero interest in being “internet famous.”
Crazy right, I mean these days who wouldn’t? But yeah there’s your answer and shock. But guess what instead, he’s spent nearly two decades building a massive archive of music designed to outlive him. Now tell me if that’s not a man with purpose. His latest single, “This Is What It Feels Like,” featuring Maria Duque, released on February 5th, 2026, shows exactly why he’s more interested in the work than the fame.
One may ask what makes this track soo unique and amazing. Well not only is the track heavy, but also it carries this honest look at long-term sobriety. The shock here is that it ain’t ya “happily ever after” song about quitting drinking; but instead it’s about the fact that even years later after you quit, the ghosts of the past still hang around.
You see those moments where the past still haunts you, but your desire and determination to quit still holds strong. It’s not an easy task, especially from any form of addiction. But the will to move forward while acknowledging the wreckage behind you is what makes the difference, and this is what the song entails.
What makes this release special is the partnership between Cries of Redemption and vocalist Maria Duque. Music, has many ways that makes it special, could be the sounds, the production, or the vocals. But nothing beats a good singer. And that’s what makes Maria Duque special. The way she sang the song, just makes it feel real and irresistible.
The way the song starts and her vocals sneaks in is amazing, she creates an atmosphere that allows the listener to immerse themselves into the feels of the song and begin to reflect on those moments they couldn’t do without their addiction. Then it takes them closer to how far they’ve come and usher them to keep going. Cos this is how it feels like to be free from such an addiction. Then half way through the song, those haunting vocals from the man behind the project creeps in and reminds you of how it actually feels like to be this way.
For years, people have compared this project to bands like Evanescence. While Cries of Redemption is flattered—even though he admits he’s only ever heard one of their songs—he wanted to break away from that shadow. To do it, he and Maria basically tore the vocal plan apart and started over.
On this track, Maria isn’t just singing a melody; she’s delivering a massive, theatrical performance. The chorus features a six-voice harmony that feels more like a Broadway ensemble than a standard metal track. Cries of Redemption was so impressed by her work that he actually turned his own guitars down to make sure she stayed the center of attention. He even added a string ensemble to fill the space, using his guitar more like a percussion instrument to keep that “NuMetal” punch without burying her voice.
The recording process is a bit of a global puzzle. Cries of Redemption keeps identical studios in Georgia and Colombia so he doesn’t have to lug gear across the border. He tracks the heavy stuff, and Maria sends over her vocals with professional precision. It’s a high-tech way to make music that feels very old-school and raw.
Well Cries of Redemption hasn’t played live since he was in his late 30s, preferring to stay in the shadows and focus on his sobriety and his songs. He built this project for the “misfits and the battered,” and “This Is What It Feels Like” is a perfect example of that. It’s dark, it’s loud, and it’s completely real.
Enjoy More From Cries of Redemption here;
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