ALBUM: Ghost Mile ARTIST: Voyager Perth prog legends Voyager have frequently put out some insanely likable material since they first popped up in the late 90s, and their sixth album 'Ghost Mile' due out on May 12th is no exception. If you like your prog metal punchy, anthemic and smart as hell, then get ready to fall head over heels for this new album. Opening track 'Ascencion' lulls you in with a soaring melodic intro before driving off into an album that seamlessly balances indie rock, power pop, some edgy djent - and a hell of a lot more. Second track 'Misery is Only Company' stands out particularly with singer Daniel Estrin's crisp vocals soaring across dense riffs and some jaw-dropping beats from drummer Ashley Doodkorte - the result is a track with just the right amount of grit and infectious hooks and really sets the scene for the rest of the album. There are moments of pure melodic metal ('The Fragile Serene'), funky slap bass ('As the City Takes the Night') and grandiose blastbeats ('Ghost Mile') - and, yes, even a progtastic track partially inspired by Louie Armstrong's 'What a Wonderful World' on the unrelenting ambient number 'What a Wonderful Day'.
The album closes out with the goods, including the sumptuous 'This Gentle Earth' which places rippling keys under Estrin's powerhouse vocals - it's a seriously beautiful song and proof of the band's ability to nail stripped back anthems as much as they can relentlessly shred out some death-metal. For a band that boasts a fiery red keytar, a feisty female guitarist and a rampant live show, on paper they are already incredible. But beyond the technical riffs and face-melting beats, their clever instrumentation and tight production proves why Voyager are so beloved after all this time, and 'Ghost Mile' is a triumphant and catchy explosion that definitely doesn't disappoint. 'Ghost Mile' is due out on the 12th of Ma.y
ALBUM RELEASE DATE: May 12th, 2017 - pre-order HERE LABEL: IAV Records