VEKTOR — Terminal Redux (review)

Album · 2016 · Technical Thrash Metal

4/5 · 2016-08-14
UMUR

"Terminal Redux" is the 3rd full-length studio album by US thrash metal act Vektor. The album was released through Earache Records in May 2016. One major change has happened since the release of "Outer Isolation (2011)" as the band have moved from Tempe, Arizona to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The lineup has remained the same though, so no changes there. Vektor was formed in 2003 under the Locrian monicker, but changed their name to Vektor in 2004. After releasing some demos the band signed to Heavy Artillery Records for the release of their debut full-length studio album "Black Future (2009)", which almost immediately earned them underground fame and success. A success they followed up in 2011 with their sophomore studio album "Outer Isolation".

Stylistically the material on "Terminal Redux" pretty much continues down the same sci-fi themed technical/progressive thrash metal path as the material on the two predecessors. The band are very well playing, delivering their parts with great precision and skill. Fast-paced and heavy drum parts, thrashy riffs and well played guitar solos, and David DiSanto´s high pitched screaming vocals in front. It´s not easy listening vers/chorus material either, but instead structurally complex and very adventurous tracks, which generally require more than one spin to sink in. But again that´s nothing new if you´re familiar with the two predecessors.

What is new compared to the two predecessors is the use of clean vocals on the two closing tracks "Collapse" and "Recharging The Void". The latter even features some semi-operatic female vocals. The opening track "Charging The Void" also features something new in a choir section, which leads my thoughts toward Devin Townsend and his wall of sound vocal approach. So Vektor have developed some parts of their sound, but they´ve (for the most part) maintained their aggressive thrash metal authenticity. It´s like listening to a combination of "The Sound of Perseverance (1998)"-era Death, late 80s/early 90s Voivod, and some of the mid- to late 80s albums by the German thrash metal triumvirate of Kreator, Sodom, and Destruction. I´d say it´s slightly more melodic and progressive this time around, but it´s details and if you enjoyed the first two albums by Vektor, this one should probably make you happy too.

"Terminal Redux" features a well sounding production, and the musicianship is also of high class on all posts, so upon conclusion the album is yet another high quality release by Vektor. If I have to mention a couple of minor issues, it would be that the tracks are generally a bit too long and that 73:21 minutes is also too long a playing time for the album. If Vektor hadn´t opted to put "Collapse" and "Recharging The Void" (which are two of the most different and varied tracks on the album) at the end of the tracklist, my attention might have begun to wander. So while "Terminal Redux" certainly is a very impressive release, there is still room for improvement in the songwriting department. More conscise material, a few more hooks, and a shorter playing time could have done the trick (less is more). But don´t misunderstand me here, because those are minor issues, and overall "Terminal Redux" is still a very interesting and adventurous release, delivered by skilled musicians and a 4 star (80%) rating is fully deserved.

more than 2 years ago
Permalink
Report #323759

Share this review

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer

Please login to post a shout

siLLy puPPy wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I was underwhelmed upon first listen but it has grown on me. I agree with Jonas' review. It's too long and tracks outstay their welcome. If it was trimmed down to a 45 minute album or so, it would be golden. As it stands after about 4 listens, i'd totally give it 4 stars as well. Great review ;)

Unitron wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Okay, just finished listening to the whole thing and I actually loved it. I think the song I sampled was Cygnus Terminal, which is the song that I find really boring. Most of the other songs are intense killer thrash tracks, I especially loved LCD. There are some issues I have with it, but overall I was very much positively surprised.

TheHeavyMetalCat wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I loved their last album especially and Black Future is not too far behind, but this has been rather underwhelming for me so far.

adg211288 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I know what you mean and that's what may get my rating of this knocked down a bit if and when I decide to review it, especially as I didn't get that impression with their first two albums.

Unitron wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I might give this a full-listen at some point, but I sampled it a while ago and just didn't get it. The songs I sampled didn't have any cool riffs, and just sounded technical for technical's sake. :-P

adg211288 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Good review. I like this one enough for it to have just about scrapped a provisional 4.5 from me but I've also found it much harder to like than either Black Future or Outer Isolation, both of which drew me in at once. People seem to be treating this one as the metal event of the year, but for my part even though it has grown on me somewhat I do also find it a bit overrated.