Exo-X-Xeno - 2025 - Luminous Voyage

(35:54; Exo-X-Xeno)

While this is a new band, led by composer, vocalist and guitarist Craig Maher, there are going to be quite a few people picking this up due to who else is involved, as Maher has brought in bassist and backing vocalist Billy Sherwood (Yes, Toto and Conspiracy with Chris Squire), drummer Jay Schellen (Hurricane, Yes and Asia), plus keyboard player Patrick Moraz (Refugee, Yes and The Moody Blues). Okay, so we have two members of the current Yes line-up, plus one who was involved with that band in the Seventies, so we all know what this sounds like right? Well, yes and no.

This band has been brought together by Maher who also provided all the music and obviously has a very strong idea on what he wanted the band to sound like, and the result is a hybrid of early Eighties Yes with mid Seventies. Although two of those involved also played on the latest Yes album, I think they can be forgiven (it was so much better than ‘Heaven & Earth’ after all), with the influences definitely coming from the more palatable eras of that band. It was a wise choice to bring in a rhythm section who have already been working together for some years, as they provide a very strong foundation, while in Moraz they have secured the services of a  keyboard player who I feel is often overlooked and while to some Yes fans he is just the man who kept the seat warm for Wakeman, there is no doubt that ‘Relayer’ is a great album, as are ‘Long Distance Voyager’ and ‘The Present’. It is difficult to realise he is now in his mid-seventies, as this album shows no sign at all of him slowing down.

Symphonic, crossover, it doesn’t really matter what sub-genre of prog one defines this to be as the result is an album which is taking us back at least 40 years while also somehow being modern and current. It does feel American in style but has none of the Neo or Nineties influences which have impacted so many bands since then. I have long been an admirer of Sherwood, not only for his Squire-style playing (I cannot believe it surprised anyone when he stepped into the role) but his harmony vocals, and they are a major part of what makes this such a strong release. Apparently, Maher has only released two albums prior to this, and has also composed for films, but my ears disbelieve that as while he is a great guitarist in the style of Rabin/Howe, he is also a very good singer and given the quality of the material it is difficult to understand this is a debut release. Three of those involved have been in the scene for decades, but this band is being led by a relative newcomer who also provided the material.

This is a release which many will discover just because who is involved, but once they have heard it they will put it back on the player as it is such a damn fine listen. 

Kev Rowland, September 2025

Links:
https://www.exo-x-xeno.com/