Custard Flux - Enter Xenon

Custard Flux

Enter Xenon
self-released; 2025

​​​By ​Dino DiMuro
​

Custard Flux is a psychedelic prog-rock band that comes as close to the legendary French collective Gong than I’ve ever heard within the indie world. And not just with the lysergic, otherworldly music: like Gong, Custard Flux seems to inhabit its own special universe, with futuristic (and weirdly sexy) artwork to illustrate their singles and albums.

The artistic leader of the band is a gentleman with the unlikely moniker of Curvey (vox/guitar/ARP Odyssey synth) joined by Vito Greco (guitar), Timothy Prettyman (bass), Nick Pruett (drums) and Andy Thompson (Mellotron). Though recording in Pro Tools, all the band’s instrumentation is proudly analog. Recording took place at Rabbithole Studio in Detroit, with mastering by Mike Hagler at King Size Sound Labs, Chicago. I wish I had more biographical info, but the band mostly sent me quotes from other reviewers, so let’s get into the music!

An eerie disembodied radio voice plus Gong-like synth waves lead into the album opener “The Escape” which is an extremely cool collage of samples, recordings and Pink Floydian pulses. “Winter” has all the prog tropes firmly in place: jagged rhythms, complex melodies and fast, precise playing. Though Curvy’s voice is nowhere near stadium level (more like David Lowery of Cracker), his sincerity draws the listener in to catch his fleeting nuances, enhancing the experience. This track has a slow B-section that recalls prog pioneers The Moody Blues, partly thanks to an authentic Mellotron (where did they find one?). “Opportunity Knocks” feels like The Byrds with a few extra beats thrown in, as this track is one of the more traditional rockers. The creaky analog signals are pushed to the breaking point with the music straining against the compression every step of the way.

“The Oblivion Capsule” is another instrumental, leading us into a sort of Alice’s Analog Wonderland. The mellotron, tape loops and feedback trails are as absorbing and meditative as the Eno guest shots on “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.” Vito Greco shortly takes ownership with a wailing, otherworldly guitar solo. “Icy Tranquility” is a Rush-like journey alternating locked-in melodies, warbling chords and “Voyager Looking Ahead” vocals. Also one of the best final notes ever. “Tomorrowland” features the mathematical approach of King Crimson. “Enter Xenon” is another Eno-like musical rumination crossing weird space-time dimensions with The Land of Oz, making me feel the band could have a separate career just doing these kinds of tracks! “The Floating Chamber” is the closing 12-minute epic that pulls all the disparate pieces together, playing almost like its own separate album. Jangly and complex, and it rocks!

If you’re a prog fan you’re already going to love this, but I daresay hard rockers and fans of retro psychedelia will find much to like here. Excellent!

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