Voyager gives live-preview to coming album "Colours In The Sun"

Open mindeness combined with their own dream-like style sound. This band has found a place in the world of sounds that expresses everything they've ever dreamed of I suppose. So far the cover of the coming full length has been revealed along with the first single and tourdates.

All of Voyager's covers are different. This one is no exception of that.

As for me I can only say that the mixture of rough and sharp riff packed power parts along with clear sections and silk vocals are what I've always searched for. Enjoy every single second of this new single taken of the coming album.

Also make sure to see them live in Europe these days. They'll give a preview to the upcoming record "Colours In The Sun" (available to pre-order from https://smarturl.it/Voyagerinthesun ) at these liveshows so that's one more massive reason to go.

TOUR DATES
21st September - Space Rocks - Indigo 2 - London (featuring Anathema)
22nd September - 229 - London  (Intimate headline show)
23rd September - The Lanes - Bristol
24th September - The Flapper - BirminghamI
25th September - Satan’s Hollow - Manchester
29th September - Euroblast Festival - Cologne, Germany*
4th October - Progpower Europe, Baarlo, Netherlands (Headline set)
6th December - Good Things Festival, Melbourne, Australia**
7th December - Good Things Festival, Sydney, Australia**
8th December - Good Things Festival, Brisbane, Australia**

*(w/ Car Bomb, Between The Buried and Me, Dead Letter Circus)
**(featuring Parkway Drive, Karnivool, Coheed and Cambria)

Updates and more info on these shows can be found at the band's Facebook page.

CD Review: Drop Oblivion - The War Within EP (Death 'n' Thrash, 2019)

The second part of the dual EP will be out February 2019. Is it better than the first one or just a collection of fillers?

The cover of "The War Within" EP of Drop Oblivion, Artwork done by Barnaby Oakley at Crossfade Productions

Introduction
Having two releases out in a short period of time was something that found it's way into the record market in the 90s. Just think of Guns 'N' Roses "Use your Illusions I & II" albums. Or Iron Maidens two part live release with "A Real Live" and "A Real Dead One".

Now these days the Death 'n' Thrash project Drop Oblivion gives us two EPs in a two months release frame. The first cut was a rough and loud fest of dirty riffs and growling monsterous vocals mixed up with a lot of fun.

Atmospheric midtempo Thrash
These days "The War Within" reminds us of how fine Thrash can be in midtempo mode. The EP starts with a mysterious and darkened intro just to shot us in with "Monster". This particular one is the fastest and heaviest one of the package. It's rude and with a raw note. Most of the other songs on this one happily follow a more midtempo shakin' pattern. I love that. It leaves more room for atmosphere and a brighter display of feelings. The pressed situation of going in fast and loud is left behind.

It's replaced with the fun of going deeper into the riffs itself. They can breathe far more. Happily it's never monotone and also has enough agression under it's surface. You'll be satisfied if you already liked the other offer Narcistic Counsilour. The EP expresses and widdens deeper the inner fight of good and bad in all of us that has been started out with the first EP just a month ago.

"The Last Goodbye" is the best example for that. With it's different voices/vocals in it you'll feel the twisted emotions. The refrain is a wave of redemption. The title track "The War Within" is kept compact. Line by line it's going on with a closing pattern at the end. It explodes in a quick and direct ending giving a good feeling being through after all. 

It's hard to pick favorites but the track "Inner Empire" always pushed the fun factor to the highest point in me. It's this constant riffing along with the drum pattern going step by step through the whole duration.

The last one "Dark Passenger" fades the EP properly. It's the most atmospheric and haunting one. It shows that it's possible to have dark vocals in a clear surrounding and midtempo drums going hand in hand.

Purchase-Link & Prelistening
You'll get the full riffing attack possible. That's why I can recommend to pick up a copy from Bandcamp (registered users on Bandcamp can re-download all purchased music. Make sure to be logged in when buying your copy). This one is one you'll want to keep safe from any possible loss. It'll be online 1st of February 2019 on Bandcamp.

So far one track "Dark Passenger" is online for listening. Listen to it below.

Mark the Facebook page of Drop Oblivion to keep a eye on how this project will move further.

Single Review: Drop Oblivion - Detached (Thrash, 2018)

A big pack of riffs and drums that creates so much fun like I had back in the day when starting listening to metal music. Come on take a ride!

Artwork by Barnaby Oakley at Crossfade Productions, (c) by Drop Oblivion, used with kind permission

Summary
Some songs give you this special something. This one has it. As for me the whole thing started to fully come to fruition when I focussed on the way the drums and six-strings add to each other. There are these sections when it feels like being in a loop on a racing track. It simply kicks my brain.

But let us look from the beginning of the new song. This one takes it up where "Damaged Goods" left the road opened up for more. I love this, it feels as if it's one or as if could be recorded at a live set.

There are two main riffs, one slightly lighter on the first verse with a rougher one following later on. Then there is the outworked refrain feeling big and out of this world. The verses offer a hacked feeling that is added by the words that perfectly fit into this structure.

Finally there are softer parts inside. One in the last third of the duration and one at the end. They add a breathing and relaxing note to the package. It's toped by the drums counting in back to the tune after the first section. It's those little things that make something great out of a good tune in my ears.

Purchase-Link / Crowdfunding / Stream
Don't hesitate any longer. Please support this project with a purchase of the track at Bandcamp or reserve the full album on the pre-order campaign. The digital album goes for 10 GBP while the "Detached" single can be downloaded in various formats for 1 GBP. You can also stream the music on Spotify and Soundcloud.



Contact-Data
Also see the Facebook page of Drop Oblivion for all the further progress of the project.

Single Review: Drop Oblivion - Damaged Goods Reworked (Thrash, 2018)

I reviewed and introduced this track already some time ago. Ian Mortimer, the man behind the project has constantly worked on the song since then. Can a good piece of music still be upgraded?

The cover for Damaged Goods, artwork created by Barnaby Oakley Crossfade Productions, (c) by Drop Oblivion

Reworked for the better
The answer is: yes it can! It is nearly unbelieveable how different the new version sounds compared to the previous version. It feels as if a new song comes out of the speakers right now.

In detail "Damaged Goods" sounds much sharper and clearer now. Most of all the different parts and sections come out to the front. Now it's clear how many riffs and finer undertoned effects this track has in it. The guitars are much louder on this version.

A new drum sound also supports the easier understanding of the track - it's like it's putting marks and properly pointing parts into their direction now. It feels easier to get a fast grip of what the song is all about now.

The guitars got some new riffs in them I think. One section is brand new - the one where the guitars are quite for a few seconds.

The vocals have been completly re-done. They have a more constant line in them now. The overall tonality of the demonicness feels like one layer being constant through the whole duration now.

It's fascinating to hear how much one track can change with such a overhaul. Very well done!

Purchase-Link & Album Crowdfunding
Pick up a copy from the digital plattform Bandcamp. It costs 2 GBP. More platforms will follow in the coming days. I'll add them as them come in.

Currently a full album is in it's finishing stages. Please help to cover the expenses for mixing, mastering and worldwide release with pre-ordering a digital copy of "Narcissistic Councilor" for 10 GBP via Crowdfunder.

Contact Data
Be sure to follow this project further through the Facebook band page of Drop Oblivion.

Single Review: LeatherJacks - Spells and zombies through the night (2018)

If you need music that grab's you directly at heart take this fresh single from brasilian rockers LeatherJacks to bring in a dose of energy that lift's you up.

The cover of LeatherJacks single release "Spells and zombies through the night", (c) by LeatherJacks, used with kind permission

Summary
This band is lead by Mauro Cordeiro. His outstanding and always changing vocal performance along with a good potion of riffs creates this special atmosphere being present in the music of LeatherJacks. Having put together a full album and one more single this new piece of music was expected eagerly by me. How would the music evolve further?

It remained the same as it goes for the main attempt at it's core being full blown rock music. But it comes infused with modern techniques in songwriting at least when it comes to the first number "Spells and zombies through the night". This time around the vocals go all on it throughout the whole track duration. The refrain is integrated into the overall sound structures. You can think of this as a feeling being created out of one piece.

The voice shouts it out more agressively in the verses but keeps it softer when it's time for the refrain. Guitarwise this one nails it down with heavier riffs compared to the slightly older material available so far. The drums follow this idea with's it attacking double-bass pattern. The refrain parts are kept longer and more extensive something not be found too often in rock and metal music.

Next to go is the track "Persona non grata". This nearly five minute long song fires way around with a easier mix of riff and drumming. It's way more melodic and catchy. The refrain stands out with it's extra punch it provides towards the end. It's for sure a track you'll remember once heard and will want to enjoy times again. Happily it's part of this single package release already.

Purchase-Link and Preview-Track
Currently the single is up for purchase at iTunes and Amazon.

Paying a little for this helps the band to record more music for you in the near future. So in the end spending some bucks is a investment into your own music world - it rewards you like a plant. Once you care for it it may pay you back with lot's of joy with more flowers that it spreads. Check out the title track below to get a quick taste of the band's sound.

Connect with LeatherJacks
Keep a eye on LeatherJacks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

CD Review: Lyra's Legacy - Lyra's Legacy EP (2014)

A great first EP combining sharp guitars with a lot of fine melodies, a excellent rhythm section and many vocal variations. It's the tension between the heavyness of the guitars and rhythm patterns on the one hand and the harmony of the voice on the other that makes this band so special.

Short Introduction

Lyra’s Legacy was founded in 2008 and consists of five musicians from North Rhine-Westphalia in western Germany. Every band member brought in their individual musical experience from previous bands like Heavenfall and Frozen Fire.

Since 2011 Lyra’s Legacy is playing gigs and festivals e.g. “Metal for Mercy On Stage”, “Realms of Metal” or “Brotherhood of Metal” and shares the stage with bands like The Name, Gloryful and Ivory Tower.

Lyra’s Legacy represents sophisticated and melodious metal and inspires the audience with their melodies, musicality and power. They've put out a three track EP under the title "Lyra's Legacy".

The cover of the Lyra's Legacy EP, (c) by Lyra's Legacy, used with kind permission

Summary

A compact and razorsharp three track EP is what we have here. All songs go straight into your ears and will make you headbang to them all the way. On the contrary there's lot's of room for emotions and slower sections with keyboards giving it a silker touch. The vocalist uses a wide range of variations for his performance which makes the tracks even more enjoyable. There are surely not only some high pitched notes in the vocals but also a lot of midtone as well as some sing-along choruses to be found.

Player and Purchase Link

The whole release is up for a free listening session on the Soundcloud service so there's no need to buy the stuff without testing. If you like what you hear you can purchase a copy on a silver disc for 5 Euro plus shipping and handling. A band shirt is available for 10 Euro plus shipping and handling.

You can order these goodies through the band's Facebook page, through the band's contact Email form or contact Andreas Denz at his Facebook account to order your copy.


EP Overview

Mirror Of My Life
Powerfull compact starter, very riff packed, few keyboard inserts. The fine outworked vocals show much variations in them and the refrain invites to sing along,

Breath Of A Winter Night
A epic beginning but it changes quickly to faster riffing, free power riffing follows. It's a very direct number going all on it.

Utopia
The final song starts slow and then goes over straight into a pure powerfull riff rollercoaster providing the listener with sharp, straight, hard, powerfull and intense moments.

The band Lyra's Legacy, (c) by Lyra's Legacy, used with kind permission

Links

Check in to the band's website for all the latest tourdates and also tune in to Facebook for even more regular updates.