Project Description
VOYAGER
‘COLOURS IN THE SUN’
Album Review
Reviewer: Chris Reid
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Voyager are undoubtedly one of Australia’s leading heavy exports. Their latest album Colours In The Sun is their first release on the heavy-weight-metal-label Seasons of Mist (who are also re-releasing their entire back catalogue for good measure). Voyager have been building towards this sort of recognition for a number of years, with the band generating some particularly strong momentum since 2014’s V album. On ‘V’ and the subsequent album, 2017’s Ghost Mile, the band have benefited from a settled line-up; allowing them to find and then then develop a sound which has struck a chord with fans on a truly global scale. The combination of percussive ‘djent-style’ riffs and vocal melodies with a unashamed pop sensibility has created a relatively unique sound which is resonating with an ever-growing fan base. Without beating around the bush, if you’ve been a fan of Voyager’s past work I have no doubt that Colours In The Sun will tick all of your boxes and then some.
The album gets underway with Colours which was released as a video/single ahead of the album’s release – this track is Voyager doing what they do best; retro synth’s start proceedings before the piece shifts into a rock solid groove – it’s melodic, catchy, and has plenty of deceptive nuance and virtuosity in the instrumentation. The band transition seamlessly between ethereal vocal melodies and heavier riff based sections.
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Severomance continues in a similar vein – melody and deceptive nuance are once again the name of the game. The track starts off a little more mellow than the opener, but it covers an extensive range of dynamics. I’m a big fan of the guitar solo on this track, nailing the balance between restraint, melody and speed. Alex Canion’s vocals in the chorus add a welcome colour to their extensive palate. Unlike many prog bands, Voyager can’t be accused of self-indulgence – their arrangements are clever and complex, but never ‘for the sake of it’ – ‘Song first’ writing is what the band do best.
Brightstar was the first single released ahead of the album release and was presented with a particularly head turning video clip (a good little advert for rural Western Australia too!). It’s a really strong track and screams classic Voyager to me (retro synth tones, sing along chorus etc.) – the way the band play around with a heavy rhythm motif during the bridge section is pure class.
Saccharine Dream is a mid-tempo track which revolves around a formidable pairing of strong guitar and vocal lines. The bass guitar parts are worthy of a mention, but as was the case on Severomance the guitar Solos are again a highlight for me. The guitar paring of Scott Kay and Simone Dow just nail it – flexing their ‘guitar muscles’ without even being guilty of shredding for shreds sake. The softer interlude solo towards the back end of the track is also really nice (that tone..). Maybe it’s the guitar nerd in me but Saccharine Dream could be my favourite track on the release.
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Entropy is a real ‘ear worm’ and features Einar Solberg from Leprous on guest vocals during the chorus. Alex Canion is a legitimately great 2nd vocalist in Voyager but there is no doubt that Einar’s contribution will be lapped up by fans – from a marketing perspective having two of the most recognisable voices in modern progressive music on the same track is good business. This track will generate a lot of buzz for good reason.
Disconnected was arguably the heaviest track on Ghost Mile, and Reconnected seems to carry on the vibe and feeling from this track. Try not to get bitch slapped by the double kick after the keyboard intro! It’s a brilliant piece which has a darker mood than the majority of the tracks which have proceeded it.
On Ghost Mile the track Disconnected was followed by This Gentle Earth – a concise ballad centred around a keyboard motif and Esterin’s vocals. Reconnected is followed in a similar fashion – Now Or Never is also centred around the uplifting keyboard lines and vocals of Esterin.
Sign Of The Times is an uptempo, uplifting track. As is the case of so many of the poppy style tracks that Voyager have in their back catalogue, Sign Of The Times has such a strong, catchy chorus that you almost assume that you have heard it before.
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Voyager recently released a ‘stank faced’ guitar walk through’ video for the track Water Over The Bridge. Classic lolz, and the sort of good natured humour that the band’s live show is full of. Water Over The Bridge is one of the heavier tracks on the album and is centred around the ‘djent’ riffs which this incarnation of the Voyager line-up are embedding as an integral part of the band’s sound. The bridge section is straight up epic – brimming with great vocal hooks from both Canion and Esterin.
The Album concludes with Runaway. This track has perhaps the strongest vocal melodies on the album. It has a real nostalgic feel – Youth Group meets metal? Whatever the case, it’s a nice way to close out the album and the keytar solo will no doubt be a highlight of many a live set in the future.
Colours In The Sun is a damn good album. It picks up nicely from where Ghost Mile left off, and reinforces the standing of Voyager as a real force in modern Progressive music. Each track revolves around great vocal melodies and for that reason you don’t need to ‘be in the mood’ for it like perhaps you might need to be for the more abrasive styles of metal – it’s the sort of album which you could have stuck in your car’s stereo for a decade and not get sick of it. I have no doubt that the band’s first release on Seasons of Mist will be a great success for both band and label. I wouldn’t go so far to say that this is my favourite album of the year, but it’s easily in the top half a dozen.
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Tracklist:
1. Colours (4:05)
2. Severomance (4:23)
3. Brightstar (4:32)
4. Saccharine Dream (5:27)
5. Entropy – Featuring Einar Solberg (4:43)
6. Reconnected (4:48)
7. Now or Never (1:39)
8. Sign of the Times (3:47)
9. Water Over the Bridge (4:42)
10. Runaway (4:38)
Total: 42:44
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Follow VOYAGER
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ABOUT VOYAGER
Destined for longevity and worldwide success, Perth based quintet VOYAGER recently signed their first worldwide recording contract with Season of Mist following the release of their 6th opus Ghost Mile. Ghost Mile saw dedicated fans contribute to the band’s Pledge Music campaign in 2017, reaching the band’s goal in just a little over a week.
Having toured the world a few times over and having shared the stage with names such as DEFTONES, LEPROUS, NIGHTWISH, COHEED and CAMBRIA, as well as headlining a number of festivals including opening the main stage at Download Festival Australia 2019, Voyager are back with a taste of what’s to come. The band’s versatile sound sees them complement a multiplicity of line-ups, and attract the love and attention of a wide demographic of fans!
In a bid to resonate with audiences all around the world, frontman Danny Estrin explains that “Colours in the Sun” is a musical depiction of a personal journey to an adopted country . “We are the colours in the sun” says Voyager, who are celebrating Australia’s vast and varied beauty with their new album.
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