Review: Traveler "Self-Titled Release"

    Screaming through the galaxy with a classic metal vengeance of super sonic metallic force, Canada’s Traveler offers a scorching full-length debut release looking to consume the heavy metal universe with glorious sounding riffs and triumphant sounding vocals.

    Speed metal and power metal fans will be rather pleased with this release, as the band demonstrates strong songwriting skills and skillful musicianship. The band’s singer, Jean-Pierre Abboud, also known for his work in the band Gatekeeper, does a tremendous job presenting the lyrics with a high soaring vocal delivery. Along with Jean-Pierre’s amazing vocal abilities, the twin guitar attack of Matt Ries and Toryin Schadlich proves to be a lightening fast force of riff making fury. I also thought the rhythm section comprising of bassist Dave Arnold and drummer Chad Vallier, packed a mighty punch on each track to help establish a bold and bombastic sound.

    The album’s production and overall sound is full of relentless heavy metal energy which is very consistent on each song. You know you’re in for a ripping heavy metal experience when the opening track, “Starbreaker,” bursts out of your speakers like a starship screaming through the cosmos fueled by an atomic sounding main guitar riff. The vocals add an extra emphasis of epic heavy metal attitude and Jean-Pierre has an unbelievable range that does not sound forced and seems to come natural when he hits those high notes. After the opening track ended I liked the transition into the next song, “Street Machine,” because the music maintained such a passionate and fierce edge. Traveler does a great job not settling for generic and simplistic riffs and comes up with these arrangements that convey a high level of profound energy.

    Track three off of the album, “Behind the Iron,” is a very Maiden-esque type song that utilizes the two guitar attack extremely well. The way that the vocals compliment the melodic guitar compositions is perfectly executed and keeps delivering until the song ends. Other songs worth mentioning are, “Fallen Heroes,” “Mindless Maze” and “Speed Queen” with probably “Mindless Maze” being my overall favorite song off of the album. From the soothing intro guitar arrangement to the epic chorus section to the mind being lead guitar parts, I felt like the song was extremely well written from start to finish. Traveler combined all the elements needed to write a stellar heavy metal song that does not disappoint in the least bit, or sounds poorly slapped together like what you hear from most classic metal worship bands who spend more time on their album artwork than their songwriting skills.

    Traveler is yet another great example of a band paying homage to classic heavy metal, while forging their own path by writing some exciting and powerful pieces of music. The band’s self-titled debut release is a recommended listen for fans of classic heavy metal, speed metal, power metal or people who want something to bang their head along to while raising their fists in the air. Better not pass this release up, because the way Traveler is going right now, these guys are going to be coming at the heavy metal world faster than the speed of light and you don’t want to miss out!



Traveler "Behind the Iron" :

Traveler Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/travelerheavymetal/

Archangel A.D. "Warband"

    Bursting out the abyss like an unstoppable demonic force without remorse, Archangel A.D. is group that is ready to strike. The Edinburg, Texas based band unleashes a fist full of thrash metal madness on their upcoming album, “Warband.”

    Taking the fierce and skull crushing spirit of 80’s thrash metal, Archangel A.D. constructs brutal headbanging riffs while composing some blitzkrieg like pieces of music. I hear a very classic thrash vibe in their songs and the songwriting is rather impressive for a young bunch of dudes. There are so many bands who try and look “thrash metal” to where the songs come out sounding incomplete, or are just poorly recycled riffs taken from Slayer songs. I think Archangel A.D. is going about writing their songs in the right manner to where they are not just hitting the repeat button on each track.

    The album opens with an explosive song called, “Unto the Evil,” containing a crushing main riff section. I thought the music was very reminiscent to that of early Testament and Megadeth where the riffs contain some strong and thoughtful chord progressions accompanied by catchy verse sections. The drumming is solid along with the overall guitar and bass work, but I felt like the vocal presentation during the song was where the band really excelled. The band’s singer delivers a strong performance and the recording quality of the vocals helped give the songs that extra emphasis of aggression. Track number two, “Blighting,” is yet another classic thrash worshipping slice of galloping fury. There is no hesitation as the band feverishly hammers out a blizzard of notes and sounds to construct a sinister song.

    The album’s title track, “Warband,” is strong piece of music and the musicianship from each member really stands out. Archangel A.D. does not settle for simplicity, however, they do not try and complicate their music with unnecessary technicality. That also goes for the instrumental track, “Enter the Temple,” which is a decent composition that is heavy and features some monstrous riffs. The final two tracks, “Evil Dreams” and “Metal Horde,” are dark pieces of music that both contain some haunting arrangements. I think the intro to, “Evil Dreams,” was down right terrifying and I really liked the bells ringing in the background. The band did a great job creating a very ominous and doom like atmosphere which was an enjoyable change of tempo.

    In a sea of countless thrash bands around the world, I think Archangel A.D. did a tremendous job showing what they are capable of doing on, “Warband.” I want to hear them continue to focus on coming up with dynamic song structures, because I think that is where they will excel the most and separate them from the usual suspects. Also, the recording quality of the songs on this release was fairly decent, so I hope they build off of how this album sounded and find ways to produce some impactful thrash records. Thrash is still alive and kicking, especially when you have young bands like Archangel A.D. showing they have the potential and talent to conjure up some wicked sounding tunes.


Archangel A.D. "Blighting"

Archangel A.D. Facebook Page:
 https://www.facebook.com/ArchangelA.D

Laceration "Remnants"

  The Bay Area metal scene is thriving right now with numerous up and coming bands recording some really impressive material. Laceration is band taking old school death metal and thrash metal and unleashing blistering tracks of extreme metal chaos.

  Formed in 2006, Laceration has gained a strong following over the years amongst the Bay Area metal scene and keeps building momentum. Working with Unspeakable Axe Records, a label that seems to produce devastating releases from some of the most ravenous bands around, Laceration will be putting out a release featuring songs from a couple EPs, demos and songs that were part of their 2013 split with Tinnitus. I think fans will be pleased to hear a sinister array of material on the upcoming release, which I believe will help build anticipation for more new material from Laceration.

  “Remnants,” features a strong dose of tracks that shall appease any extreme metal maniac looking for some high quality headbanging. The opening song, “Realms of the Unconscious,” is a dynamic assault of brutality and technical prowess. I felt like the track was a great introduction for people who may have never heard of Laceration, because the song really touches upon what this band is about musically and demonstrates their style of songwriting. The following tracks continue to maintain a vicious edge while constantly leaving carnage in their wake. Track number two, “Self Deprivation,” is a bombastic slaughter of sound and molds such ferocity from various influences that range from old school death metal to 80’s thrash. Laceration does a good job maintaining a balance of death metal and thrash metal to where the band is able to utilize the combination to their advantage when writing their songs.

  Other songs to mention off this release would be, “Exhausted in Form,” “Bred to Consume” and “Hobo with a Shotgun.” I personally enjoyed, “Hobo with the Shotgun,” the most since I am fan of the movie which the song is named after and I also thought the music sounded just as brutal as the film. Laceration’s vocalist is a strong singer and he does a tremendous job presenting the lyrics throughout the song in a bold unapologetic nature. Another killer piece of music off this album is, “Shadows of Existence,” which begins with a massive wall of distorted chaos that comes destructively crashing down along with the hellish sounding drum parts. The riff sections are harsh and convey such raw energy to where you feel consumed by this malicious force of extreme sounding horror.

  Overall I believe, “Remnants,” is a well put together release featuring songs that demonstrate solid musicianship and creative songwriting which seems to have evolved since the band’s inception. The band does not just simply slap together recycled death and thrash riffs, and I find there is a bit more thought in their instrumental compositions compared to most other death/thrash bands. I think if Laceration keeps up this type of songwriting and musicianship on future releases, we are going to be getting treated to some killer sounding extreme metal releases. Th future looks brutal people, so keep an eye out for Laceration!


Laceration "Exhausted in Form" :

Laceration Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/LACERATION-Bay-Area-106524719409624/