TERMINAL REDUX

"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.