ALBUM REVIEW: Voyage – Tanith
Despite the decade ending 50 years ago, the 70s is still influential throughout every aspect of pop culture. That of course includes music, with bands who laid the foundations of heavy metal like BLACK SABBATH, COVEN and RAINBOW remaining influential to this day. One band influenced by the early heavy metal style of that decade are TANITH, taking on the sound and style of their peers and creating something unique and modern since their beginnings in 2017. With their second album, Voyage, the group hope to build on the groundwork they laid on their debut, In Another Time, whilst also developing the sound to another level and progressing their journey in music. Is this album a successful voyage, or is this journey cut short before it begins?
Kicking off the album with Snow Tiger, the first track immediately presents the tone and direction of the album; the start of an epic journey. With a great, driving guitar riff and an energetic feel behind it, the opening song sets a precedent for the whole record and starts the album on the right note. Catapulting from the opener, the music continues to be excellent throughout, showcasing the talents on each instrument with slick riffs, rhythms, and even solos, as exemplified by Seven Moons (Galantia Pt.2) and Never Look Back which feature bass and drum solos respectively.
The two vocals sound beautiful together and play off each other nicely as they weave the story for each song. In songs like Olympus By Dawn, Architects Of Time and Flame, the vocals together are just beautiful and the melodies and harmonies are the cherries on top of the sundae that is each song on the album. The only negative point here is that the vocals are quite low in the mix, and they don’t feel as powerful as they should be within the songs. They sound like they’re on the same level as the guitars, which are quite prominent in the mix. If the vocals were at the front of the mix, the music side of the album would be perfect.
With the lyrics, TANITH craft an energetic and vibrant adventure full of power and confidence that can be felt by the listener and in turn, empower them as well. The strength in the poetry across songs like Architects Of Time, as well as the comforting lyrics within tracks like Mother Of Exile, showcase the range and creativity within the band and how they’re able to take on any mood and tone. One of the best examples is within Flame, where the lyrics are hopeful and full of promise for the future, as if they’re willing to see change and positivity in the world, surely a sentiment shared by all listeners. From beginning to end, the lyrics give the listeners a fantastic journey that many won’t want to stop, even with Never Look Back as a lush and empowering closing track.
Overall, for a sophomore record, TANITH have not only expanded on what they established on their debut, they’ve set off on an exciting journey that furthers the sound and style the band love and are inspired by. This record compliments the band’s previous record, providing the missing part for two of the tracks with Seven Moons (Galantia Pt.2), but the record can easily stand on its own by creating something empowering and energetic. This album will please the band’s fans easily, but it will also attract newcomers, introducing them to the rest of the band and hopefully drawing them to TANITH’s live shows. Voyage exemplifies the best from this band and delivers on its promise – afantastic journey from beginning to end.
Rating: 8/10
Voyage is out now via Metal Blade Records.
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