LUX Aeterna Is The Antidote To Your Lockdown Blues

Hidden in the crevasses of Canyon Country in Nampa, Idaho, prog-rock trio LUX has been lurking in the shadows since 2018 ready to make their announcement to the world. A teaser came in the form of single ‘Harakiri’ in May, introducing us to five minutes and 47 seconds of huge pipes from Jonah Cullen including a striking slide into a Matt Bellamy falsetto to close, Tool-inspired shifting time signatures and complexities, driving guitars and a strong bass line. These welcome traits are at the forefront of the band's debut album Lux Aeterna.

The idea of an opening instrumental piece titled ‘Introduction’ is generally frowned upon and considered unnecessary. In the case of this body, the introductory piece is the voluminous hair that adds detail, flow, and texture and creates a polished look. It sets the tone and progression of the album and is a welcome addition. ‘Antidote’ follows and is a clear standout track with great single potential. Alisha Peru takes the lead for the powerful and infectious belter and gosh that girl has some grunt in her vocals- wow! The repetitive chorus of ‘the antidote (x4)’ is befitting to the stage; a sea of pounding fists propelling forth the message and something we will hopefully get to witness in the near future.

Whilst the lead single has already been dissected, it’s important to note that Lux Aeterna is intended for a front-to-back listening experience and is especially important in the case of ‘Harakiri’’s positioning. It sits as a breathing point between ‘Antidote’ and it’s ballad counterpart ‘Antidotal Illumination’; a strategic move from the trio to ensure that ‘Antidotal Illumination’ is seen as a stand-alone piece, rather than flowing directly from its sister. The ballad arrangement is surprisingly delicate and blissful as opposed to the haunting and powerful original and shows impeccable musicianship from Sam Harmon.

Reiterating the well-considered flow of Lux Aeterna, another stunning transition occurs between ‘Antidotal Illumination’ and ‘Insanity’. Another piano ballad, this time with Jonah placing vocal lines atop, Harmon impressively carries the tone across, bridging the two tracks whilst introducing quirky elements in the latter half to draw enough distinction. The light and shade within Lux Aeterna is gorgeous and offers a lot of insight into LUX as a band and their multi-genre influences.

The piano pieces are then met by a heavenly interlude titled ‘Voces’, a swirl of stunning harmonies filling every empty space with both an angelic and haunting presence. LUX then pulls you from your out-of-body experience, crashing down with ‘Reprimanding’. ‘Reprimanding’ is a fun surprise with its almost ska-infused boppy bass line, chatty vocals, and bouncing beats. It’s the charisma behind the body, particularly with the sing-along ‘hey’s from Peru.

As the name alludes, ‘Luminescent’ is an intricate flicker that builds into a radiant flame in the form of another piano ballad. With a descending scale, ‘Luminescent’ slides right into the closing number and title track ‘Lux Aeterna’ with Lux being the Latin word for ‘Light’ and the title being a reference to ‘God Is Light’. Sitting just shy of nine minutes, the stunning ballad leads initially by Peru’s stunning whispers, descending into a chaotic commotion in the best possible way, transitioning between the two polar-opposites multiple times throughout. Cullens soaring guitar lines are impeccably electrifying and elevate the energy beyond belief! Both ‘Lux Aeterna’ as a track and as an album are immersive journeys and well worth the dedication to listening to in their entirety.

For their debut body of work and their introduction into the music world, LUX do a stand-up job at showcasing their abilities, their diverse range, and their musical personality. Very impressive effort!

Check out the full album here on Spotify and follow them on Facebook at

https://facebook.com/weareluxofficial