“Prequel to Madness” is TRAVELER’s third album. It Will be released on No Remorse Records.
Formed in 2017 in Canada the band have caught the attention of the underground heavy metal audience even from their very first demo release. Yes, yes I can remember very clearly all the good noise that was generated around this band as their 2018 demo was spread around the globe.
Their same-titled debut full-length that was released in 2019 took everything by storm. Many people have characterized those newcomers as the next big thing in underground Heavy Metal. One year later the sophomore album “Termination Shock” was released, and within a short time, TRAVELER established themselves as a powerful live act, storming stages and festivals around the world.
Well there is an old theory in music business that points out a band’s third album as a key step for their career: It is the one that would nail their music on the audience’s minds and ears, showcasing in a way that a group is able to transform the talent into hard work in order to develop the ability of delivering albums that matter. In a few words, through the third album each band should prove that the music they present is not a simple case of sudden inspiration, luck or hype, but a case of detailed and well planned hard work.
TRAVELER are in this very exact time spot, right here right now. Why? Well with an overall positive vibe still going strong around the band, there is a huge amount of fans comparing their two albums, mainly divided into two sides: Those who are positively highlighting their overall discography and those who believe that the band’s first album is still their best one.
So the new album “Prequel to Madness” is here to set again the TRAVELER standards, for good. Following their well known creative formula, focusing on songwriting and increasing their performance level, TRAVELER have managed to create their best release so far: An amazing album including straight in your face, powerful and inspired Heavy Metal.
I would actually describe the record as the perfect mixture of Heavy and Speed metal. No matter if the band chooses to deliver those catchy, mid tempo, classic Heavy Metal anthems or those Speed Metal ground breakers, the enjoyment is pretty much the same. Yes on this album you will find both the above mentioned types of songs.
The album’s faster pieces, pretty much remind me the overall vibe that RIOT CITY are carrying on their music. But there is much more going on: The faster NWOBHM pieces of SATAN and BLITZKRIEG came into my mind as well. There is a lot of NWOBHM on the classic Heavy Metal songs of the album, early RIOT, late 70s / early 80s JUDAS PRIEST, DIAMOND HEAD, WITCH CROSS (debut album), LEATHERWOLF (first era) and all that good stuff.
The amazing double guitar work is the album”s most remarkable feature in my opinion. The overall guitar development on this record will make the big difference from your average Heavy Metal / NWOTHM record next door. Matt Ries and Toryin Schadlich are taking this record to the very next level, reminding us how important a guitar duo can be on an album. If you are after some great riffing combined memorable harmonies and shining solos, this is your album.
JP Abboud’s voice is actually connected to a very important part of the Heavy Metal underground for the last 14 years. Having sung for BORROWED TIME (2010-2013) and GATEKEEPER (2016-2021), someone can easily describe him as a key artist for the globe. However I always believed that his charismatic voice shines a little more upon the music of TRAVELER. Hearing his great vocal melodies and his powerful performance on this new album I simply confirm my opinion.
Rhythm section is another very important feature on the TRAVELER’s new music. Nolan Benedetti (drums) and Jake Axl Wendt (bass) are adding to the songs a very powerful touch of rhythm heaviness, blessing them with a live vibe as well.
And speaking about this “live vibe” I must also refer to the production that drives the music to this particular path. I mean that I felt like the band was playing just beside me in my room, as I was hearing the record and wow I was able to hear everything loud and clear through a warm and heavy studio production. The album is Mixed by Daniel Tsourounis and mastered by Dajaun Martineau and they both have done an amazing job.
To sum things up I should point that I enjoyed the album very much. With this record TRAVELER confirm their place into the Heavy Metal pantheon of our age.
To create a good Heavy Metal album you need: talent, inspiration, good songs, passion and focusing to every single detail. The new TRAVELER album have all those boxes checked.
Go out and get the record now.
The album will be released February 23, 2024 on No Remorse Records, pre order the it here.
Check out the discussion about the album on our forum pages.
Check some TRAVELER airplay on our radio show:
