Most bands tend
to start with a couple core members and expand their lineup over time, but the
opposite seems to have occurred with Terminus. What started as a quintet on 2015’s
The Reaper’s Spiral has come down to a duo on their second album with drummer
David Gillespie handling all the instrumentation and James Beattie providing
vocals. Terminus remains not only undeterred in delivering their epic metal
vision but might’ve actually improved on A Single Point of Light.
Thankfully the
lineup shift never feels like a downgrade as the musicianship is sufficiently
competent. The guitar tone has a grainy edge and the drums have an odd echo,
but the actual performances are very natural. You wouldn’t guess one man is
performing all the instruments as the harmonies are smoothly integrated and the
rhythms have plenty of power behind them. It also helps that the vocals are in
the sweet spot where they’re blunt without being one-dimensional and varied
without showboating.
The songwriting
is also pretty solid with songs consisting mostly of up-tempo gallopers. I find
myself wishing some of these tracks had more breathing room but “As Through a
Child’s Eyes” and “Cry Havoc” get in some memorable vocal lines. The album is
at its best when opting for more mid-tempo pacing; “Harvest” is an early
highlight thanks to its fluctuating march and the closing “Spinning Webs,
Catching Dreams” puts in the sort of sprawling stride that would make Solstice
proud.
When
considering the circumstances of its conception, Terminus has a strong showing
on their second full-length album. As much as I would like the hard-hitting riffs
and rhythms to translate to more impactful hooks, the musicianship is undeniably
powerful. The group isn’t quite at the top of the epic metal food chain but they’re
definitely keeping up and could offer something even better. Fans of groups
like Gatekeeper and Atlantean Kodex will find a lot to enjoy here.
Highlights:
“Harvest”
“Harvest”
“Cry Havoc”
“Spinning Webs,
Catching Dreams”
Final Grade: B+
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