Artist: Traveler
Title: Termination Shock
Label: Cruz del Sur
Style: Traditional Metal/Hard Rock
Release Date: April 10, 2020
From the opening salvo, everyone can plainly hear that Canadian Trad Metal band Traveler is back and in full effect. The guitars rip, the melodic interplay scorches, and the powerful rhythm section comes barreling in. And then there’s those vocals…Man, if this doesn’t time warp you back to the best of the 80’s, you’re either too old and senile or too young to know any better. But what is clear right away is that you’re in for a ripping good time.
This is their second full-length in two years, following a demo and a split, and with each new release, Traveler further defines and refines just who they are and what their sound is. Let’s be clear: these guys are about Traditional Metal, as it’s called. There’s more than enough calls out to Priest and Maiden, of course, but adding touches of Speed only makes these songs rage that much harder. Brisk, attacking, clean and vibrant, this is Old School done Right Now. But don’t be confused and don’t think these fellows are simply copying what came before them. Yes, they wear their influences on their sleeves, and yes it is undeniable who they are beholden to. However, they add their own style and personality to the proceedings, their talent (and it’s talent at every position: those guitars, man, and that voice, and the bass that underpins it all, adding extra melody and heft, and the relentless yet tasteful drums…) shining bright and powerful.
There’s a lot of Metal to choose from these days, even in our quarantined times. You can go many routes, depending on your tastes, and there have already been a lot of really terrific albums released this year. Add this one to the list. If you have an inkling of love for straight-up Metal, go out and get this one. You won’t be sorry.
The Wizard has Spoken!
Four Wands out of Five