Lux Terminus – “Cinder” | Progressive Rock Central.com

Found another great progressive rock/ jazz fusion band that is absolutely out of this world, full of vibrancy. Their name is Lux Terminus, and their new album is titled Cinder. They released Cinder on April 18 of this year. And guess where they are from? My birthplace Cleveland, Ohio!

Lux Terminus, literally means, “light at the end”, in Latin. And yes, this band is the light at the end of the progressive rock tunnel of the past. And, at the end of that tunnel is hope. This is a cinematic, keyboard – driven, progressive rock album, that will leave every keyboard fan, like me, with a grin on your face, from beginning to end. As they describe it in their press release, “Lux Terminus has taken the progressive music world by storm since their formation in 2016”.

The band is made up of keyboard maestro Vikram Shankar, (Pain of Salvation, Silent Skies, Redemption), bassist Brian Craft, and drummer Matthew Kerschner.

The band has added some guests to this album to elevate their sound. Backing vocals on “Jupiter” are sung by Espera (Paige Phillips, Mathilda Riley, Lynsey Ward). Vocals on “Catalyst” are sung by Ross Jennings and Jon Pyres. Saxophone on “Catalyst” is played by Jørgen Munkeby.

“Jupiter 1: Starless”, is a mostly instrumental song, similar to their other albums. Only on this song they have the ladies of Espera adding vocal incantations. It may be starless, but it is not Bible Black. It is spacey and outer limits; full of futuristic sound, with piano, out front. It is a little jazzy and would have made a nice soundtrack for many a Star Trek episode I watched as a kid. A little over 2 minutes of bliss, before the action begins…

On, “Jupiter 2: To Bend a Comet”, the action starts to rev up. Espera returns and provides their voices as voyaging fuel for this galactic journey. This is definitely a keyboard-driven song with supporting drums and bass. You can hear the narration of Henri Poincaré’s, Science and Method, “Consider now the Milky Way. Here also we see an innumerable dust. Only the grains of this dust are no longer atoms but stars. These grains also move with great velocities. They act at a distance one upon another. But this action is so slight at great distances. That their trajectories are rectilinear. Nevertheless, from time to time, two of them may come near enough together to be deviated from their course. Like a comet that passed too close to Jupiter. In a word, in the eyes of a giant, to whom our suns were what our atoms are to us. The Milky Way would only look like a bubble of gas.” Another song full of blissful astral travel, for over 7 minutes.

This epic ternary opening to the Jupiter trilogy is simply magnificent! “Jupiter 3: Perihelion”, continues the galactic travel motion with Espera, “Ooing”.

“Mosaic Mind”, is the first single off the album. With an excellent supporting music video, that shows you how the band performs. Vikram Shankar truly is a maestro at the keyboards and provides so much symphonic sound that it lights the entire soundscape with joy. This nearly five minute keyboard journey is worth every twist and turn.

“Neon Rain”, is a little darker at the opening. But the high keys and synthesizer lightning quickly energize this song. Another instrumental extravaganza that will light the fire for more.

“P.L.O.N.K.”, starts out with plunking electric drums or keyboards; and then drifts into another keyboard feast of delight. Every note will fill your ears with wonderful upbeat sounds full of adventure.

“Catalyst”, features vocals from Ross Jennings and Jon Pyres. One of which has a voice that reminds me of a great cross between Peter Cetera and Mark Hollis. Not a bad combination at all. He sings, “Your vision always felt so clear before it disappeared”. This really feels like that missing Chicago song that someone else wrote. Another versatile song of innovative keyboards that will absolutely keep your full attention. Jørgen Munkeby’s saxophone solos are immaculate and brilliant. At over 8 minutes, this is the longest song. The song is full of positive lyrics.

“The Devil’s Eyes”, is another wild keyboard driven ride. It starts off slow and dark, then the web begins to spin and grind. This time they add the narration of the famous description of Michael Myers as a youth, from the movie, Halloween, spoken by Donald Pleasence. An absolutely high speed keyboard experience that will leave you breathless. Full of enough wickedness to give it its title.

“Apparent Horizon”, is a little slower, and maybe even more precise with its piano keyboard delivery. The drums play a more important part on this song, and the bass is well positioned to help provide rhythm.

“Natsukashii”, opens with Japanese keyboard sounds, orchestration, programming, and rhythms. The drums set the pace and the bass echoes the timing. A powerful closer that makes you want to come back for more. As all great closers should. You can almost hear the band cheering “Hey”, as the song heads towards conclusion. The crème on top of the cake.

Album Track List:

Jupiter 1: Starless (Featuring Espera) – 2:39
Jupiter 2: To Bend a Comet (Featuring Espera) – 7:13
Jupiter 3: Perihelion (Featuring Espera) – 3:09
Mosaic Mind – 4:47
Neon Rain – 4:49
P.L.O.N.K. – 5:25
Catalyst (Featuring Ross Kjennings, Jørgen Munkeby and Jon Pyres) – 8:12
The Devil’s Eyes – 4:30
Apparent Horizon – 5:32
Natsukashii – 5:44

Music and lyrics written by Vikram A. Shankar and arranged by Lux Terminus. Additional vocal arrangements on “Catalyst” by Ross Jennings. Additional vocal arrangements on “Jupiter” by Espera.

Cinder was produced, mixed, and mastered by Vikram A. Shankar at Black Bear Audio in Asheville, NC. Drums were engineered by Chris Keffer at Magnetic North Studio in Beachwood, OH. Art, layout, and design by Brian Craft. Band photography by Kyle Finlan.

Lux Terminus’ Cinder is a full on luxurious music adventure that is full of light and keyboard journeys that any true keyboard fan will both treasure and want to hear, repeatedly. This is an amazing, mostly instrumental journey of sound that will absolutely captivate anyone in search of bright and sensitive music that provides a window to the future. Yes, the light at the end of the tunnel we all seek. If that is your goal, like mine, this is your album. Savor every note of Cinder and dip into their back catalog. That is where I am heading next. Lux Terminus’ Cinder is the absolutely brilliant choice for a new progressive/jazz sound, if you are looking for a change of scenery. Take this keyboard journey and ride to the light at the end of the tunnel!