Thematic Rather Than Conceptual

Lunar released an album called The Illusionist back in 2023 and I gave it an absolutely rave review (see HERE) and the album came in at third in my selection of top 10 albums of the year. Now they are back with a new album, a fresh line up and a new theme to explore, this time all about the passing of time, with the album both lyrically and musically showing the highs and lows of life itself.

The title is Latin adage about the changes brought about by the passing of time (for those wondering). I admit to being a tad apprehensive as the last album was so damn good and I really related to the concept and I wondered if they could match it never mind beat it.

Still with the band from the last album are Chandler Mogel (clean vocals), Brian Lewis (growls), Ryan Price (bass) and Alex Bosson (drums).Then they have some guests helping out including Wayne Ingram (Wildrun), Joe Gullace (Thank You Scientist) and Sam Vallen (Caligula’s Horse). New members for the band include guitarists Carlos Alvarez and Connor McCray along with keyboardist Anthony Stahl. The album has 8 tracks and has a run time just over 50 minutes. It has a mix of shorter tracks around 4 minutes, a couple about 7 or 8 minutes and an epic at 11 minutes. The last 3 songs are a suite making up the album title.

Onto the songs

Opener “A Summer To Forget” starts with upbeat jazzy horns (possibly via the keyboards?) but goes through a few changes including both vocalists taking their share of lyric lines. Chandler at points almost whispers in speech adding an accusatory feel to the words. When it goes into the harsh vocal they head a little into progressive death metal, but that changes into some fine interplay between guitar and drums. At the end the vocalists trade lines which works well for the theme. This track being about memories, and how we forget what we wish to remember yet remember that which we would rather forget. I did like the lyric line saying “but the pain and heartache are part of my identity, without them who would I be?“.

“Fall Back Into Old Habits” follows next and this is the longest song at 11 minutes. The track is about addictions, or things that we use to give us temporary relief through bad times. This is probably the heaviest piece they have written both musically and lyrically. This has more harsh vocals than anything on the last album but it fits the mood of a large part of the music.

In the lighter moments there are definite hints of 80s King Crimson and when the clean vocals come in there is a real nod to Opeth at their most reflective as he sings “I know it’s wrong but I see no other way“. Being a prog band this twists into something very different by the end as it becomes all funky in a Primus kind of way. I like the way the guitar comes in over the top of it at the end. Really terrific track.

Soaring Music, Positive Vibes

“Seasonal Interlude” is described by the band as a “breather”, a moment of “self-reflection” and features both some lovely cello and a crazy-sounding sax solo late on. It opens with keys and clean vocals and the way they have the cello working at one point with some vocal harmonies is lovely. The track has a haunting feel partly down to the cello. The last verse is harsh vocals before the discordant sax solo comes in. It drops down to keys at the end kind of bringing us back to the beginning and going full circle.

“Weakening Winter Touch” has the best chorus on the album. The band think so, and so do I. Very powerful and melodic. The song is partly about asking “why” if something bad happens to us. Feelings of weakness or powerlessness over our own circumstances (“plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose” as someone once sang). My favourite line says “the cold hand of winter, caressing me to sleep” and I also like the way they change the ending of a couple of verses from “Alone I die” to “Alone I thrive” which gives hope towards the end of the song. There is a determination to get through and as that happens the music starts to soar higher, uplifting and melodic.

“Spring In My Step” is as you can tell from the title all about positivity. The song goes from light and upbeat to harsh and heavy but returns to the former by the end. It captures the idea of fighting to keep positivity when crap comes our way. Even in the heavier moments there is melodic lines, always holding onto positivity. I do enjoy the proggy musical ending with guitar solos and drum fills aplenty!

Mournful Yet Gorgeous To Rocking And Hopeful

The last 3 tracks are all part of the title suite but have their own titles as well as part 1,2 and 3. The first part “Passage Of Time” is beautiful, sad at points but with a strong melody. This has a touch of Dream Theater about it, especially in the guitar solo which reminded me of the song “Spirit Carries On“. It is not a replica but definitely hints at it for me. Lyrically it says “time must be taken but cannot be grasped” and “time is a gift burning in your hand” and as I get older the truer these get! This has a harmonica solo on it and believe me it is mournful and gorgeous. Love it!

“Broken Pendulum” deals with anger at not being able to get back what is lost. If the last track was lilting this one rips in heaviness being again almost full on progressive death metal. At the opening the keys sound like water trickling whilst the guitars play a sweet heavy riff and the drummer plays some fills. When it eventually gets going it is heavy, frantic and intense. The music cleverly matches the words as he screams about life “this incessant march continues whilst I try to catch my breath” as the music just keeps pumping away hard. “How do you perceive time” he asks before answering his own question in “seconds within centuries“.

The final song “Watch The Weather Change” deals with denial. With a captivating opening riff, all upbeat and hopeful but rocking. There is a nice mix of both vocal styles merging the optimistic and the frustrations of life. The second last time the title of the song is sung both vocalists sing it which suggests the weather could change for better or worse at any moment so you best be prepared. However right at the last we get a clean version leaving a hopeful note. This song has a good mix of heaviness with a very melodic chorus.

New Fresh And Exciting

As I said away back at the start I wondered if they could match or beat the last album. At the moment I still prefer the former, but with that I dug it right away. This one has been more of a grower for me. On each listen I get more out of it and as you can probably tell I think it is excellent. I appreciate that the band have made sure not to attempt to repeat the last album but to try new ideas and give listeners something fresh, new and exciting. The playing is excellent, the use of vocalists works very well and the themes are explored nicely.

I have a feeling in time this is the album I may return to even more than the former. Considering how amazing “The Illusionist” was says how strong a follow up this album is. Anyone into bands like Dream Theater, Opeth, Haken, Ayreon or Tool should find a lot to enjoy here. This is thoughtful, intelligent, progressive music with words to match and I thoroughly recommend it.

Album Released On Friday 31 January (Self Release Via Saibot Reigns Records)

Purchase Via Bandcamp

Official Bandcamp  //  Official Facebook

Check out my other articles and reviews here. Tom.