(Let's try this again - the last time the stupid thing timed out on me!)
Voyager - I am the reVolution:
Cribbed a really nice review from here:
Voyager
I Am the ReVolution
If Depeche Mode, A-Ha or Ultravox,
all of a sudden, grew long hair, join their forces and started playing
metal, they would probably be able to rival one of the most original
and daring groups on planet, that is Australian Melodic Metal
five-piece Voyager. Yet, it would be a cold day in
hell if it ever happened, so there’s no fear for the guys to lose their
unique status for the time being. In the teeth of originality, it’s a
tough task to try and describe what Voyager’s sound is about. Take a handful of 80’s neo-romantic electronic charms, add latter day Katatonia’s cold reverie and Amorphis’ unquenchable lust for melody, decorate it all with crystal-clear tenor a la Morten Harket (A-Ha) meets Mathias Blad (Falconer),
serve some elegantly crafted riffs along with sporadic half-whispering
shrieks and short yet amazing solo splendors, and you will get a
roughly accurate picture of what Voyager present. In
other words, if you were looking for your small “terra incognita” in
metal, go no further and make a halt right here. Led by their tireless
singer and composer Daniel Estrin, these guys stand virtually outside
of any styles and canons, laying down their own axiom of today’s metal.
Honestly, I expected that the upcoming new release I Am The ReVolution wouldn’t throw me for a loop the way its predecessor UniVers
did back in 2007 (it was actually my number two of the year), since I
got into good training with this music over the past two years and
literally learned every song by heart. If I used to have difficulty
admitting that Voyager are a metal band from head to
toe, I just stopped paying any attention to it. In fact, I’m now quite
comfortable with the state of things that there is metal and there is Voyager,
as it gives the listening process a keen feel of singularity, a taste
of forbidden fruit if you like. And I knew for a fact that I was simply
doomed to fall for the new material the moment I heard the first sounds
of opener “Land Of Lies”. It just couldn’t be any other way with these
dynamic rhythms, slightly muffled yet impressive guitars and Daniel’s
serene and highly fascinating manner of singing. Maybe the fact that it
sounds galaxies away from what today’s Melodic Metal bands offer in
general takes some time to get used to, but soon you will not only lose
track of time but also forget your own name, so beautiful and unearthly
are melodies and arrangements presented here.
Similar to the UniVers material, there are no weak songs on I Am The ReVolution
at all. Any of the songs has a huge potential to become your favorite,
depending on what mood or state of mind you are in at the moment. Thus
“The Devil In Me” disposes to sad meditation about the imperfection of
human nature while “Close Your Eyes” makes you look at the bright side
of things, claiming that time will heal all your wounds and scars.
Pondering on the subject of death and life, the relatively speedy
“Total Existence Failure” and “Straight To The Other Side” learn not to
fear inescapable “gifts” of fate and live a full life while you still
draw breath. Once again Daniel Estrin offers some vent to his
eccentricity, including fragments of German and Russian speech in these
two tracks. I’m not sure about the German excerpt, but the Russian one
features the lines from “Duma”, a legendary piece by classical Russian
poet Mikhail Lermontov. Last time it was Alexander Pushkin with his
immortal “Yevgeny Onegin”. Marvelous romantic ballad “In My Arms”
brings in the scent of dying love, involuntarily making you re-live the
experience if you’ve ever had one. The most musically complex and
progressive “Times Like These”, “On The Run From The World” and “I Am
The Revolution” are just permeated with the spirit of rebel against
this life’s dictatorial principles, literally calling you out to make a
“little coup” in your worldview. Actually, this is a very philosophical
and many-sided album that will certainly make you contemplate life’s
deeper meanings.
In like manner, the musical decors are very well-thought and timely
convey the general feeling with lots of bridges, interludes and
splendid solo bits. I would especially mark the work of the guitar
combo consisting of new 18 year old guitarist Chris Hanssen and his
female copartner Simone Dow. Instead of surprising you with an
exceptionally virtuosic commandment of their instruments, they prefer
holding on to a more restrained yet delicate manner, enchanting the
listener with Gilmour meets Oldfield spells. Equally good is the
maestro Daniel Estrin himself with his keyboard set, impressing not
only with well-crafted background accompaniments but also with lots of
unexpected high-tech effects and solos.
Comparing the new album with its predecessors, I’ve come to the conclusion that with UniVers and I Am The ReVolution Voyager
have attained the zenith of their genius. They should simply keep doing
what they do, not taking much note of how innovative or ingenious it
is. As long as they cope with this task, not only will they retain
their appeal to their fans, but they can expect their fanbase to keep
on growing from album to album. If you still haven’t entered the
wonderful world of the big “V”, then don’t hesitate to do so as soon as
possible. The revolution has begun!
[
Visit the band's website]
Written by Igor Stakh
September 17th, 2009