Release date: 22-03-2024
Since 2011, For All We Know has been Ruud Jolie's (known from Within Temptation) side project. The debut album of For All We Know was released in that year, followed by the second album 'Take Me Home' in 2017. Both albums are released on vinyl for the very first time on our label. During the Covid pandemic, Jolie began contemplating the release of a third album. This album, 'By Design Or By Disaster,' is set to be released in the spring of 2024 on CD and vinyl through the young Dutch prog rock/metal label Construction Records.
Throughout the writing process, Jolie collaborated closely once again with vocalist Wudstik, and the band consists of the same musicians who played on the first two albums: Léo Margarit (Pain of Salvation), Kristoffer Gildenlöw (ex Pain of Salvation), and Marco Kuypers (ex Cloudmachine). The 11 songs were produced by Jolie himself and range from metal to calm melodies.
Compared to the first two albums, 'By Design Or By Disaster' takes the listener to even more extremes, from beautiful atmospheric strings to pounding rhythms and guitars. However, Jolie continued to search for melodies and harmonies that one might not immediately expect. The music still does not conform to conventional norms. For the attentive listener, there are once again some 'easter eggs' hidden; melodies from previous albums that have found their way onto this new record but in a different form. This makes the first two albums, together with this record, a kind of triptych. The same applies to the artwork.
'By Design Or By Disaster' is not a concept album, but there is certainly a common thread in terms of the lyrics. They revolve around the journey of a young man navigating through life, building and losing relationships along the way, such as with his parents, loved ones, and later, his children. It's as if he is constantly looking in the mirror. Hence the three characters on the album cover; it's the same person but in different phases of his life. The two adults are blindfolded by the blue ribbons, symbolizing our preconceptions and the obscuration of vision. Because, whether we like it or not, we can get stuck in how we (think we) are. On the other hand, the baby is still free from judgment and completely open to life. For now…
Video Single edit 'The Future That Came Too Soon'
Tracklist:
A
1 Forced To Be Free 05:18
2 Lifeline 05:50
3 This Hell We Know 06:23
4 The Future That Came Too Soon 07:05
5 All We Did Was Hide 04:36
B
1 Hush 02:14
2 Remind Me To Forget You 05:34
3 Flaws 07:39
4 Guide Me In Getting Lost 04:36
5 Ghosts Of Summer's Past 04:30
6 Goodbye 04:21
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Review quotes
“International class!"
KOID9 Magazine
“By Design Or By Disaster is a beautifully varied album, from very subtle to complex and heavy. Jolie has written truly beautiful melodies.”
Background Magazine
“Jolie is a songwriter with a great talent for timing. As a result, everything he touches rises above mediocrity.”
DA Music
“For All We Know created its own, distinctive band sound. By Design Or By Disaster is a real quality product.”
Empire Magazine
“His solo project is more varied than Within Temptation's work. In addition, Ruud Jolie is in top form on guitar. The Dutch school of progressive music has another gem.”
Heaven Magazine 3/4
"It is an album with great musical richness and quite a stylistic fusion that works successfully. A friendly listen and an excellent way to introduce other audiences to progressive rock."
Totum Revolutum
“After a very pleasant, thoughtful, and technically rich journey, which equally delves into thrash as it does into jazz extremes, For All We Know emotionally delve deeply. It's a magical combination."
Metal Forever 8,5/10
“To be honest, there isn't a single weak song on By Design Or By Disaster. This album is an absolute must. International class!"
IO-Pages (Vette Krent)
“Despite the first few seconds that for some reason rubbed me the wrong way, this is quite an enjoyable record for fans.“
TheProgSpace
“Beautiful album that grabs you by the throat from the very first play. Wish I could have that experience again and again.”
Never Mind The Hype
“This formation has once again made its mark on the scene of progressive metal with a quality work.”
Hard Rock Magazine 8,5/10
"A great album with beautiful melodic rock songs, which I really enjoyed and I highly recommend this disc to every fan of the better pop and rock."
Carry’s New Underground Music
"Emotional rock music doesn’t get much better than this. To me, For All We Know is one of those ultra-rare examples of a side project of prominent musicians where the result is much, much bigger than the sum of its parts."
Kevy Metal (Album Of The Week)
"And with Goodbye, a wonderful album unfortunately comes to an end. This actually makes it a perfect ending for By Design Or By Disaster.”
Rockzine 5/5
"These fine musicians do a wonderful job through out the album. The hooks are memorable, the production warm, rich and resonant. To be honest I'm really enjoying this album."
Rock Report 5/6
"By Design Or By Disaster showcases that making music is about breaking boundaries, something For All We Know has mastered. This album is a journey from start to finish, where listeners can enjoy a diverse range of experiences."
White Room
“Get yourself a copy of By Design Or By Disaster because it's a fantastic album. I love the entire album I really had a lot of fun listening to the album.”
LiveProg
“By Design Or By Disaster is an adventurous record full of dynamics, on which there is much to discover if you take your time. The album has proven to be more than worth the wait.”
Progwereld
“Upon closer listening it reveals a few gems (‘Lifeline’, ‘All We Did Was Hide’).”
Eclipsed Magazine 7/10
"By Design Or By Disaster is a very good album, and one I recommend very strongly to you. An intelligent rock album, with something to please all.
Lazland
"I really find it hard to believe that in the field of melodic progressive metal, much better works will be released in the current year."
Rocking Greece
"Musically it is very well put together and technically speaking it is also variable, from quite quiet to quite heavy. A pleasant introduction for me!"
Bluestown Music
"Of course, there is a lot of fabulous (mainly) electric guitar playing. The more often you listen, the more new things you hear."
Esther's Rock Blog 8/10
"The album becomes more beautiful as the story progresses. By Design Or By Disaster takes some time to grow."
Maxazine 8/10
Above all, By Design or By Disaster is full of good prog songs. For prog rock enthusiasts certainly a must-buy!
Aardschok 7,5/10
"A solid listening album, which opens pleasantly, shares many currents in the middle section and closes wonderfully. Not to be missed by prog rockers!"
Metal Experience 8,5/10
"The compositions are as colorful as the theme itself, resulting in an extremely successful album from an artist who has nothing left to prove."
Rock Tribune 8,5/10
