LIVE(STREAM) REVIEW: Voyager @ A Voyage Through Time, Magnet House, Perth
Aussie progressive metal outfit VOYAGER have blessed us with their own unique and uncompromising offerings for the best part of two decades. What better way to celebrate this milestone by performing a special career-spanning set to allow fans new and old to bask in the nostalgia? The A Voyage Through Time stream is still available until the end of October so there are plenty of opportunities to get your fix over at Veeps. Incendia Music have entrusted us with a review of the show and to let you know why this is a must see event!
Appropriately the quintet kick this performance off with the double header of To The Morning Light and The Eleventh Meridian from their debut release Element V. This release is significantly different to their more recent material and treads into the realms of power metal with its considerable theatricality. This is also displayed in proceeding track White Shadow which was welcomed by the quip of “I can’t believe we ever wrote this” courtesy of frontman and founding member Danny Estrin. Despite this remark the track was thoroughly enjoyable and contained entertaining falsetto instances, a crazy round of blast beats and various solo trade-offs. The punchy and energetic Sober was also added to the mix to round off this chapter of their history. Danny continued to be on top form by informing the viewers that the video for this track was filmed in “a beautiful park in Perth, next to which I now live. As VOYAGER has ruined my life”.
The performance ventured onward into the later 2000s with the invigorating one-two of The Devil In Me and title track I Am The ReVolution from their third album before showcasing The Meaning Of I and Iron Dream which was inspired by the legendary TYPE O NEGATIVE frontman Peter Steele. These tracks were when VOYAGER entered their self-proclaimed heavier phase and showed further experimentation in their evolution. Before continuing onto the next instalment we were provided a short, tongue-in-cheek commercial break where drummer Ashley Doodkorte and guitarist Scott Kay gave some additional comedic relief by mocking their extra curricular activities.
Upon their return to the stage the ever popular tones of single release Hyperventilating came thundering forth, a sure-fire way to get the viewers bopping along on their sofa! Shortly after Danny bolted off stage and ran across the venue to the piano to treat us to the sombre but beautiful melodies of Summer Always Comes Again before closing off the V era with Seasons Of Age. As we drew ever closer to present day the captivating To The Riverside, the addictive Ghost Mile and the crunchy but alluring The Fragile Serene continued to impress and keep the momentum running in full flow.
Thirteen tracks have now been executed in polished, impeccable fashion, leaving the remaining tracks from most recent effort Colours In The Sun. An album which witnessed an exhilarating blend of previous outings as VOYAGER brought the best elements of their repertoire to the forefront. The upbeat energy of Brightstar was the ideal choice to slot into this performance and climactic track Runaway left viewers with a feeling of warm embrace to close the show.
Rather than this just being a regular run-of-the-mill live stream VOYAGER provided an abundance of amusing moments littered within this event. From taking shots at the bar to Danny‘s numerous wardrobe changes as well as a sincere thank you to previous members whose contributions have allowed the band to get to the stage they are at today there were plenty of instances that made you grin throughout and it shows exactly why they have such an adoring, diehard base of fans. It also provided the perfect opportunity for the younger generations who have maybe missed out on the earlier chapters of their career to get a glimpse of their evolution. A fitting memento which will tide viewers over until worldwide touring becomes a more feasible option.
Rating: 9/10