Ahh the difficult debut album. You only get one chance to make a first impression, and such an event has transformed many a band into either a rupturing wreck or an awe inspiring exhibition that makes joe public take a big step back in astonishment.
The pressure is definitely on for Lucius Fox, a prog/math rock duo from Kalamazoo Michigan, USA. The group have been together since 2014 and have put out a grand total of 3 EPs plus one release made up of live improvisations.
Their debut record, the 99% instrumental Cement Sun marks the result of material written between 2015 - 2017 and a band emerging after 4 months holed up in a recording studio.
So will this Cement Sun fall straight to the ground or remain suspended above the earth while it bathes us all in it's positive glow? There’s only one way to find out…
Beginning with the striking ambience of ‘Stratovolcano’ the duo kick things firmly into formation with some adrenaline fuelled speed metal riffing injected with alien sounding guitar leads. It’s a bold opening gambit that leads perfectly into ‘Caged Bird’ which features Baroness guitar breaks and ends with the most positive breakdown you’ve ever heard.
Up next, ‘Shapeshifter’ moves from attacking chords to a simple yet divine melody that ascends up to the heavens. It’s a real standout track for me and a grand demonstration of the band’s songwriting chops and musical diversity.
Featuring the only singing on the entire record, the attention grabbing centrepiece ‘Keith Green’ opens with a mist of guitar and plenty of David Gilmour licks to spare, then builds into a powerful surge of musical energy before dropping back to a featherlight, weightless riff. But the pounds are soon piled back on as distortion pedals are stamped on while the vocals soar majestically overhead.
Songs like the title track and ‘Lake Effect’ show off the group’s complexity as well as their tranquility while not being afraid to throw the listener a few curveballs along the way.
Final track ‘Tunnel’ opens with an intricately crafted, dreamy first movement that soothes the mind before switching to some dazzling guitar work combined with powerfully crashing drums. Speaking of which, drummer Alex Guzman’s raging tub-thumpery during the emotional mid section is his finest moment on the record. A palm muted riff with spellbinding leads draws things to a climactic close and the Cement Sun has set.
It’s clear that Lucius Fox have upped their game since their last EP but I just can’t escape the feeling that parts of this record are longer than they need to be. While enjoyable and compelling, a few too many sections sound overcooked, a lot of the guitar parts have a very first take feel to them and the slight lack of variety in the drum fills causes the songs to drag their heels rather than to travel smoothly.
But with this constructive criticism taken with a pinch of salt, the duo are undeniably aiming for an original sound with plenty of exciting riffs and melodic ideas to go around and that in itself should not be ignored.
Despite it’s shortcomings, Cement Sun is a debut for the two piece to be proud of, though it may not be an overflowing diamond mine, there are jewels to be found within it’s walls that deserve your attention and appreciation.
A valiant effort and an exciting first chapter penned by a band you’ll be hearing a lot more from in the new year!
You can read an interview with Lucius Fox here
