Voyager may not be a new band, they have been around since 1999. Coming from Australia though not many of us “Poms” have heard of them, especially as this is their debut album.  Now, I like debut albums because you have no preconceived ideas of how they should sound and no previous benchmarks to compare them to. 

The first track, “Sic Transit Gloria Mundi”, got off to a really good start, soaring keyboards, heavy bass, and some fantastic guitar riffs building you up to a “feel good” crescendo, and then they go and stick some very Russian sounding “HOY’S” in for good measure!!!!  Talk about being knocked back.  My heart sank and I had a vision of a troop of Cossacks in furry caps dancing in the aisles.  However, and I don’t say this lightly, I personally think that it was the only thing they did wrong on this album.  

The album as a whole is very hard to classify in any specific genre, it blends together a mixture of Melodic Rock, Progressive, Progressive Metal and Power Metal, and they manage to blend it very well into what can only be called a unique sound.  The music is very well written and extremely well performed, but it isn’t complex like some other Prog Metal bands.  It is music that is very easy to listen to and I think it will be widely accepted by fans of all of the “Rock” genres.  One thing I can promise you is that you won’t be saying “… doesn’t that sound like ….” Or “….didn’t I hear that on….”, Voyager are offering something new, something different, something that deserves your attention. 

The keyboards (Danny Estrin) provide a very strong background element in this production and the twin guitars (Emanuel Rudnicki & Mark De Vattima) tie it all together with ease.  The vocals, provided by Danny Estrin, while not being technically perfect, do the job with ease with some really strong harmonies. 

The production of this album is extremely clear and crisp, allowing you to listen to all the layers of the music and appreciate the talents of this exciting upcoming “new” band.  I think they have what it takes to go a long way and personally I can’t wait for their next album to come to fruition.  A very good album from some very good musicians. Highly recommended.

Let us know your views on 'Element V'

Track List

Sic Transit Goria Mundi
To The Morning Light
Cosmic Armageddon
Toward Uncertainty
The Eleventh Meridian
The Bitter Land
The Ancient Labyrinth
Miseria
Monument
The V Element
Cosmic Armageddon Pt II
Kingdons Of Control
Time For Change
Echoes Of Old Terra

Line Up

Daniel Estrin - Vocals/Keyboards
Emanuel Rudnicki - Guitar
Mark De Vattimo - Guitar
Melissa Fiocco - Bass
Geoff Callaghan - Drums