Release Date: June
2, 2014
Label: Nightmare Records
V is Voyager’s fifth album and to call it a
masterpiece is not a stretch of the imagination by any means. It is just another remainder of why I think
that progressive metal is probably the strongest genre of music going today. It is hard not to come away from this album
impressed. They have all the right moves
with seemingly no missteps. They are
highly creative and know how to blend various influences into their progressive
metal sound.
Voyager
knows how to hook an audience with its opening track. “Hyperventilating” is the type of beginning
song that gets one excited for the rest of the album. It has the right touch of soaring metal riffs
with pulsating drums and shredding guitars to get things popping. And then
there is the chorus, which is just melodic and hypnotic goodness. Following it up is the up-tempo, hard-rocking
“Breaking Down.” It is another melodic and catchy song that is also has a very
radio friendly sound.
With
its energetic opening, “A Beautiful Mistake” is a vibrant song that becomes
really memorable in its second half.
This is because of guest vocalist Zemyna Kuliukas and her hauntingly
beautiful voice. The blend of the two
vocalists is astounding. The short, spacey
“Fortune Favors the Blind” leads directly into
“You
the Shallow,” which is the type of song that seeks to destroy your ears from
the beginning with some pulsating metal music.
The vocals are crisp and clear, as to be expected by now, and the tempo
changes are done flawlessly.
‘Embrace
the Limitless” switches things up, perhaps a little too much. The synthesizer and the classic video game
sound clashes a bit with the main rock sound.
I think that it is kind of song that might grow on some people after repeat
listens, but not for all. The synth-lead
“Orpheus” makes for a great hybrid electronic/metal sound and the mixing of
clean vocals and growls add a little something extra to the song’s atmosphere. “The Domination Game” comes out killing it with
some unrelenting metal riffs, which lead into a melodic chorus for the
sprinkles on top. The subtle and
enchanting opening of “Peacekeeper” is like nothing else on the album.
The
robust opening sets the tone for “It’s a Wonder.” Its manic energy is electric and the sound
moves fluidly between aggressive and melodic.
The hammering opening of “The Morning Light” is reminiscent of the theme
for the Terminator movies. It then moves to a more euphonic and
uplifting sound. “Summer Always Comes
Again” is short and sweet and beautifully sad. “Seasons of Age” is a slow
building song with a piano and drums before the guitar jumps in to spice it up. The crisp drums end the album on a high note.
Voyager’s
V is the kind of album that makes
people become fans on the first listen.
It is unique, sophisticated, emotional, beautiful, and so much
more. I cannot recommend V enough to fans of the genre, and to
others, this is the type of album that will broaden your musical horizons. It shows
these music veterans performing at a top level, which is on display in every
song. Voyager is the type of band who push the genre forward, and that is
always a good thing when it comes to music.
5/5
Stars
Key
Tracks: ALL
Tracks:
01.Hyperventilating
02.Breaking Down
03.A Beautiful Mistake
04.Fortune Favors the Blind
05.You the Shallow
06.Embrace the Limitless
07.Orpheus
08.The Domination Game
09.Peacekeeper
10.It’s a Wonder
11.The Morning Light
12.Summer Always Comes Again
13.Seasons of Age
Tracks:
01.Hyperventilating
02.Breaking Down
03.A Beautiful Mistake
04.Fortune Favors the Blind
05.You the Shallow
06.Embrace the Limitless
07.Orpheus
08.The Domination Game
09.Peacekeeper
10.It’s a Wonder
11.The Morning Light
12.Summer Always Comes Again
13.Seasons of Age
Brian McKinnon
August 15, 2014
Review
Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk
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