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I know it's been a while since I have worked on this feature, but sometimes it takes something really exceptional to get the spark of inspiration going again.
That special something is called Lux Terminus, an instrumental prog band formed by 3 musical prodigies from Cleveland, Ohio. To prove that this term isn't just being thrown around lightly: the band's debut album features some pretty impressive guest stars, such as Delain's Timo Somers, and former vocalist of The Gathering, Anneke Van Giersbergen (the latter of whom provides the only vocals you will hear on the entire album).
That being said, the video I am reviewing is for “Epilogue: Fly”, that one song with vocals. The reason I decided to write this as a video review instead of just posting some nice words on the band's social media is because I want to prove how music can change minds and open hearts. I want to show that my reactions are sincere, because while my initial opinions on certain things will probably never change, that doesn't take away from the positive viewpoint I also have about other things.
On that note, I should probably explain what I mean.
For over 13 years, I have written for Sonic Cathedral, a site that specializes in female-fronted metal bands. I have been a fan of this scene for far longer than that, so I know my history rather well, know who the movers and shakers are, so on and so forth. In regards to the gothic/symphonic scene that began in the 1990s and gave way to bands like Nightwish, Within Temptation, Lacuna Coil, and so many others, The Gathering and Anneke Van Giersbergen have constantly been cited as the founders of this movement. Much like what “The Big 4” are to thrash metal, The Gathering is among a small group of bands that went on to influence the bands that would become the stars of the scene. A band that garners a lot of respect in the scene, a band that everyone takes for granted that we all like because we are fans of this music. However, if you have ever read this blog or know me remotely at all, you can probably sense where this is going.
Over the years, hard as I have tried, and as much as I have given it a chance, I could not get into The Gathering. More than that, I could not hear what was so great about Anneke's voice. When she did the duet of “Somewhere” with Sharon den Adel, vocalist of Within Temptation, everyone else heard the “best duet ever”, but I was left wondering if I was hearing the same thing. To me, her voice always sounded the way a bland meal tasted; it wasn't bad, but something was off with the seasonings, and if just a little more salt or pepper was added, it would be quite a tasty dish. Whenever I listened to her music, I always felt as if this intangible quality was missing. Any time she had a new band or project, I would listen, thinking that maybe it wasn't the right lineup before, and she would do something that would turn on the figurative lightbulb for me and shine a light on what I had not recognized before. Because of her standing in a scene that I followed so closely, I probably gave Anneke more chances to win me over than anyone else would, but it just never happened. I finally just accepted that Anneke would be one of those vocalists that I respected for her contributions, but one I would never “get” or fully appreciate.
Or maybe, just maybe, I had to wait for Lux Terminus to show up.
One thing I do know: Lux Terminus keyboardist Vikram Shankar is a musical genius, and that is also not a phrase I throw around loosely. For as young as he is, he has such a mature and insightful style that it took years for many of his contemporaries to reach. Whether he is playing his own material or making piano-only covers of metal songs, Vikram owns it and it will pierce you right in your heart if you aren't prepared. So when he takes that masterful style and wraps it around Anneke's voice, it is truly something wonderful.
I also have to give props again to Wayne Joyner, who put this video together. The beautiful imagery of sunny skies, clouds, and city skyscrapers just drive it home visually, what has been captured lyrically and musically. I'm just the no-talent hack who has to find the words to describe this beauty, and I am honored to be let into this world for the last 4 minutes!
So, does this mean I have converted as an Anneke fan? No, but I do have a new appreciation for her voice that I never had before. When I first heard about her involvement in this project I prepared not to expect very much with that particular track. Instead, I was blown away, and it was another reminder that one can never become too complacent with music. Something always comes along to jolt you out of a rut or remind you of the things you love about music in the first place. I don't need to be a fan of Anneke to like what I hear, and now, if I were to hear she would be working with Lux Terminus again, I would not be disappointed.
Though, to be honest, I'm still holding on to hope that their next collaboration will be with Snoop Dogg.
For more information on Lux Terminus, or to pre-order their album The Courage to Be, visit their official Facebook page.
Special thanks to Vikram Shankar and Wayne Joyner.
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