Review Summary: A solid debut, if lacking ingenuity.
I personally hear shades of Allele and A Perfect Circle in Gemini Syndrome’s hard rock/alternative metal sound - mine is but one opinion against a sea of endless squabble. Gemini Syndrome is new to the game,
Lux is their debut, and people are already making band comparisons like no tomorrow. These comparisons are warranted, not as describing factors for a sound, but as a response to the band’s apparent inability to stand out. I will say one thing though,
Lux rocks. The way they present themselves, with dynamism and conviction, is the band’s mark, and it’s good enough to make a solid debut.
Monstrous guitar parts and even screams fill
Lux, but the album is equally melodic. Nothing new here, just the same generic hard rock/alternative metal structure, with heavier riffs and a darker feel in verses only to break into accessible, harmonious choruses. It’s the kind of stuff that will easily get radio play, but it still rocks. Their sound is massive,
Lux is an incredibly loud album, and sounds like it was recorded in a hellish chamber in Dark Souls. The mix is clearly too muddy and is actually quite terrible, but somehow adds to the band’s metal attitude. It’s a cheap trick but it ultimately gives Gemini Syndrome the edge they need. It can’t disguise, however, their aptitude for generic songs (ex: ‘Stardust’, ‘Mourning Star’ and ‘Take This’). It’s on the metal side where they find their stride, especially when they’re playing darker songs like ‘Resurrection’ and ‘Left of Me’ or the intense ‘Falling Apart’, an obvious highlight.
Since Gemini Syndrome is a youthful band, it’s understandable that
Lux could have used more polish. Despite its issues, however, the album rocks hard, and is bound to make waves in the hard rock/alternative metal scene based on that fact alone.
Lux is generally good fun, the kind of album to take with you while you’re driving and sing along to (if you’re into that). It’s a great album and an excellent appetizer as hard rock fans wait with feverish excitement for Ra’s upcoming album.
