Terminal Redux Vektor 2016 Earache Records Vektor are a Thrash Metal band from the USA. Vektor began life in 2004 and play a much more progressive type of Thrash Metal than many of their counterparts with a heavy emphasis on Science Fiction themes. Due to these Sci-Fi overtones, Vektor would hugely appeal to fans of Voivod, Coroner and Watchtower with much of Vektor’s work seemingly heavily influenced by the Voivod trilogy Killing Technology, Dimension Hatross and Nothingface. Terminal Redux is Vektor’s 3rd album and is the long overdue follow up to 2011’s fantastic Outer Isolation still containing the line-up of David DiSanto on vocals and guitars being joined by Erik Nelson. The fantastic rhythm section of Frank Chin on the bass and Black Anderson beating the drums completes the Vektor line-up. Once more Vektor pull one out of the hat and continue on their Sci-Fi journey, this time, Terminal Redux tells the story of an astronaut who discovers how to become immortal. Using this knowledge, the astronaut then uses this to benefit himself both politically and financially. The production of Terminal Redux has been conducted by Byron Filson with co-production by Vektor themselves. Between them, they have created a great sounding album full of technical virtuosity that can be clearly heard and appreciated throughout the album. Each instrument plays its part exceptionally well with Chin’s bass providing a fluid and lucid backbone for Anderson to drive Terminal Redux forward with his relentless and powerful drumming. The album itself is a progressive tour de force with each song averaging around 7 and a half minutes, beginning with the excellent Charging the Void as the story opener, describing how the protagonist of the story finds the secret to immortal life. Charging the Void also features some great choral work, giving an almost angelic feel behind the pounding double bass and snare as two very separate worlds collide. Released before Terminal Redux dropped, Charging the Void gave a glimpse of what to expect from Vektor and once more, it doesn’t disappoint. Every song on Terminal Redux has been excellently crafted through a band that has obviously sat down and meticulously worked out every single part of each song. The concept fits around the music perfectly, neither overpowering each other and as odd as Sci-Fi concepts can be, Terminal Redux doesn’t make you sit back and think, what the fuck, it is very easy to enjoy as opposed to other Sci-Fi concepts released this year such as Dream Theater’s Disney-esque The Astonishing. One of the best tracks from Terminal Redux is the third track, LCD (Liquid Crystal Disease) which features some great trading on and off with guitar parts between DiSanto and Nelson culminating in some beautiful harmonies that only serve to make you appreciate Vektor’s musicianship more. Even the short instrumental, Mountains Above the Sun with its beautiful acoustic melodies shines out amongst the heavy bookends of LCD (Liquid Crystal Disease) and Ultimate Artificer. Terminal Redux is a great album by a band that continues to grow to be better and better. Terminal Redux will be towards the top end of the albums released this year, it is a fantastic album of excellent musicianship with the only problem being, how will Vektor follow this? 8/10 Adam Charging the Void (Vektor)
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