photos by Danny Sanchez
The intense eponymous debut from THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT, the new venture of former/founding Symphony X bassist Thomas Miller, is out today worldwide on Sensory Records.
Thomas Miller started his music career in central New Jersey and played in numerous cover and original bands influenced by progressive bands from the 1970s and 1980s. In 1986, he met Michael Romeo, a local progressive and classically influenced guitarist, with whom he then recorded and played in several bands. In 1994, they formed Symphony X and recruited the rest of the band members to complete the lineup and sign with Japanese record label, Zero Records.
After international critical acclaim for their albums Symphony X, Damnation Game, The Divine Wings Of Tragedy, Twilight In Olympus, and A Prelude To The New Millenium, they did various tour dates in Japan, Europe, and NYC. Shortly afterwards, due to personal issues, Thomas stepped away from the band.
Continually writing and recording on various projects and honing his writing skills, Miller collaborated on a recording project with vocalist Howard “Hollywood How” Portney in 2017. After interactions with fans over the years and realizing his chemistry with How, he decided to start writing for a new project, which would become THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT.
The debut from THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT features two of Miller’s former Symphony X bandmates – guitarist Michael Romeo and keyboardist Michael Pinnella. Furiously delivering an epic, forty-nine-minute progressive metal opus inspired by majestic themes and various musical overtones, the album was mixed and mastered by Eric Rachel (Symphony X, Black Sabbath, The Black Dahlia Murder), and completed with art and design by Rodrigo Gudiña. Fans of Symphony X, Dream Theater, Circus Maximus, Redemption, Kamelot, and other grand progressive metal acts should immediately check out THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT.
With accolades from across the progressive metal media and fans alike surrounding the album’s release, Miller states, “After over 25 years, the wait is over and my resurgence back into the prog metal scene is officially complete. I put my creative soul into this and was glad to have some old friends and new additions to join me in making this a reality. To fans and friends, I hope this musical journey has just begun and look forward to seeing you on stage and bringing you much more in the future.”
Listen to THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT and acquire the CD and LP on the Laser’s Edge Bandcamp – the standard audio HERE and the 24-bit hi-res HERE – and the label webshop HERE. Also watch the “Fear No Evil” video HERE.
Miller is fleshing out the project’s first live lineup, planning for the group to perform its first on-stage performances in the new year, alongside the release of additional new albums and more.
“…a very cool Symphony X feel all throughout this album… really, really good stuff here for all you prog metal fans who like it melodic, and with plenty of shred… 4.5/5” – Sea Of Tranquility
“While comparisons to Symphony X are natural, Miller leans perhaps a touch further into the ‘progressive’ side of things here. The music isn’t quite as heavy as Symphony X—it’s arguably a bit more experimental… The songwriting itself is impeccable… [translated]” – Scream Magazine
“This is a thoroughly enjoyable album. Often, I need several listens before an album’s personality really takes hold, but LAZARUS EFFECT connected with me quickly. There’s enough melody to draw me in, enough heaviness to satisfy my growing appetite for metal, and enough progressive ambition to keep me guessing and coming back for more… Thomas Miller has made an uplifting and compelling return… 4.5/5” – Prog Dog
“…Thomas Miller has put something together here that can not only stand in the place of a new Symphony X album, but also turn back the clock significantly to where a lot of their most dedicated fans would like to see them return. Those who enjoy the studio handiwork of Redemption, Kamelot, and Circus Maximus will also discover an absolute winner that shows zero hesitation in showcasing what a drum set, bass, guitar, keyboards, and a voice that defies gravity are capable of. 9.1/10” – Sonic Perspectives
“The grandiose nature to the material should send listeners on that path where you take yourself away from reality into another realm – which the best progressive metal releases tend to do. THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT hopefully will be the beginning of a strong set of records from this man and his compatriots. We know plenty of Symphony X followers will be happy to add this to their collection – and hopefully introduce a newer, next generation to this style as well. 9/10” – Dead Rhetoric
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