Sophomore album Cinder due on April 18th
With a captivating style of keyboard-driven progressive metal that blends cinematic grandeur with a no-holds-barred approach to genre and convention, American progressive trio Lux Terminus has taken the prog music world by storm since their formation in 2016. Now, with the impending release of their second full-length album, Cinder, due out on April 18th, keyboardist Vikram Shankar (Pain of Salvation, Silent Skies), bassist Brian Craft, and drummer Matthew Kerschner have reached stunning new creative heights.
Written and recorded over four years and produced by the band, Cinder sees Lux Terminus once again embracing the core of their sound — keyboards-driven progressive metal with strong analog synth and cinematic influences — while exploring heavier and more diverse musical territories. The album also features guest appearances from Ross Jennings (Haken), Jørgen Munkeby, Jon Pyres, and Espera (Sleep Token, Exploring Birdsong).
Lux Terminus has now released the energetic and uplifting first single, “P.L.O.N.K.,” from their upcoming highly anticipated sophomore album. “P.L.O.N.K.” blends intricate analog synthesizers and expressive piano with a propulsive rhythm section and fusion-driven technical prowess.
“Our single “P.L.O.N.K.,” the first release from our upcoming 2025 album Cinder, embodies the core of our songwriting: melodic storytelling, complex rhythms, and vibrant emotional energy—all without guitars or vocals. As one of the first songs composed for Cinder, “P.L.O.N.K.” shares strong stylistic ties to our first album, drawing on classic progressive rock and fusion influences. This makes it a fitting bridge between the Lux Terminus of the past and the present and future. As for the meaning of the title, we invite our listeners to uncover its significance.”
“We are thrilled beyond belief to announce our upcoming sophomore release, Cinder. Cinder, for us, is a musical reflection of our core vision as an artist. We aim to create progressive music where the piano and keyboards are at the forefront, breaking free from their usual role as a supporting element in rock and metal. Melody, dynamics, and emotion are also at the core of the songwriting, even as we indulge in technicality and ‘djenty’ heaviness. Cinder is about burning with intensity and risk—creating passionate, vibrant art that challenges both personal limits and conventional boundaries.”
You can check out the bass and drums playthrough video here:
Cinder’s ten tracks showcase Lux Terminus’s evocative exuberance through an impressive array of soundscapes. Lead single “Mosaic Mind” concisely highlights the trio’s musical hallmarks, meticulously blending mind-bending riffs with anthemic and infectious melodies. “Natsukashii” exemplifies their uniquely emotional approach to progressive music, pairing asymmetric meters with retro aesthetics for an effervescent tribute to the memory and the beauty of yesteryear. Three-part opener “Jupiter” steadfastly prioritizes mood and atmosphere over displays of technicality, reflecting on the serendipity of life’s journey with metaphors of theoretical physics and sublime vocal contributions from Espera (Sleep Token, Exploring Birdsong). And album centerpiece “Catalyst” traverses diverse stylistic ground – melding musical theater with cinematic prog and synthpop – while conveying a potent narrative about the peaks and valleys of mental health, featuring emotive performances from Ross Jennings (Haken), Jon Pyres (Threads of Fate, Violet Sin, Lost in Reverie), and Jørgen Munkeby (Emperor, Ihsahn, Shining, Periphery, et al.).
TRACKLISTING:
1. Jupiter I: Starless (feat. Espera)
2. Jupiter II: To Bend a Comet (feat. Espera)
3. Jupiter III: Perihelion (feat. Espera)
4. Mosaic Mind
5. Neon Rain
6. P.L.O.N.K.
7. Catalyst (feat. Ross Jennings, Jørgen Munkeby & Jon Pyres)
8. The Devil’s Eyes
9. Apparent Horizon
10. Natsukashii
Cinder is available for physical pre-order now through Glassville Records in multi-colored vinyl and CD digipak formats.
PRE-ORDER:
https://store.glassvillemusic.com/page/lux-terminus
Lux Terminus, the project of keyboardist Vikram Shankar (known for his work with Pain of Salvation, Silent Skies, and Redemption, as well as scores for video games like Space Marine II, Evil Dead: The Game, and the upcoming Jurassic Park: Survival), was formed in 2016 as an instrumental trio with drummer Matthew Kerschner and bassist Brian Craft.
The band pushes the boundaries of progressive metal by omitting electric guitars, instead using pianos, synthesizers, and orchestral arrangements to create a sound that balances technical complexity with melody and emotional depth.
Their debut album, The Courage to Be (2018), showcased this unique approach, with its bold use of pianos and synths to replace the traditional guitar-driven framework of progressive music. The record featured guest contributions from Timo Somers, Raphael Weinroth-Browne, and Anneke van Giersbergen. After a brief hiatus during which Shankar focused on other projects, Lux Terminus is now preparing to release their highly anticipated sophomore album, Cinder.
Lux Terminus are:
Vikram Shankar – Keyboardist
Brian Craft – Bassist
Matthew Kerschner – Drummer
Lux Terminus online:
Facebook • Instagram • YouTube
