Review by illusionist for Vektor - Terminal Redux (2016)
Terminal Redux is the sweeping sci-fi metal epic I always suspected Vektor were capable of.
What stands out most to me about this album is how it blends songwriting that could be called "ambitious", "progressive" or even "artful" with a simultaneously unrelenting technical assault. The balance of both sides of the metal coin that Vektor achieve here is one that very few bands have ever pulled off, and the subtle black metal textures just make their sound even more unique and otherworldy.
Aside from the overarching lyrical story, Vektor take some bold musical risks on this album. And they ALL pay off...thousandfold. The purposeful inclusion of things like clean, female and chanted vocals add a layer of tension, build-up and pure climax to Vektor's sound that wasn't there before. These elements are placed so perfectly within the progressions of the songs that they just feel so incredibly natural and impactful. For example, the subdued clean lead vocals in "Collapse" are surprisingly emotive and offer a respite that enhances the impact of the album's grand finale "Recharging the Void", which is my song of the year and also the closing statement of this band as we have known it. The 14-minute thrash opus throws together all of the aforementioned elements that are touched on separately throughout the album into what can only be called an epic. Words cannot express my love for the chanted female backing vocal melody near the end, utilized perfectly to forge a sonic bridge back to the album's opener "Charging the Void" and enhance the grandiosity of the biggest moments. The song is a roller coaster through time and space, with highs and lows building up to a climax that explodes into your ears like a star going supernova. The closest comparison I can think of would be the Fall like a burning star! section of "Starchild" off Wintersun.
While the epics that bookend Terminal Redux are amazing and innovative and surefire classics, this is not an album that loses much steam in the middle either. "Cygnus Terminal" is interesting conceptually and includes an absolutely beautiful guitar solo that sort of springs forth out of nowhere and unfolds like a majestic tapestry of stars. "LCD (Liquid Crystal Disease)", "Psychotropia" and "Pillars of Sand" are more traditional Vektor thrashers, fast technical masterclasses chock-full of awesome headbanging riffs and memorable, kickass vocal parts. "Ultimate Artificer", which was a huge grower for me after a few months of skipping it, sits somewhere in the middle, shorter than the proggier songs but with a sprawling blackened climax that hints at the heights of "Recharding the Void" to come. The only song that still does not do much for me is "Pteropticon", which just feels a little forgettable and by-the-numbers compared to all the other extraordinary songs on offer. Without it, this might be a 5-star album.
Whatever the future of Vektor may or may not hold in light of the band's recent announcements, Terminal Redux would be one hell of a way to go out. In addition to being Vektor's greatest achievement, Terminal Redux is also one of the greatest achievements in all of technical/thrash metal and 2010s metal. This album should be cited as a classic and influential landmark release for decades to come.
Congratulations Vektor and thank you for turning many a nighttime stroll into blast-offs through stars and across aeons.