Freeways is a (N.W.O.B.H.M.-inspired) hard rock/heavy metal band from Canada that takes it's cues from the likes of Thin Lizzy, UFO, and Blue Öyster Cult (to name just a few). Back in early September of 2017 the group released the 3-track EP "Cold Front". In addition to the outstanding title cut, "Cold Front" includes the radio-friendly songs "One For The Road" and "New Drag City". Well-written and featuring three songs that could all be considered strong singles(!), "Cold Front" serves as the band's studio debut. It is available in cassette tape, vinyl, and as a digital download. Given how incredible the whole thing is, "Cold Front" would have made my Best of 2017 list had I created one! In fact I feel so passionate album this EP (it's so freaking good!) that I bought it on vinyl and cassette tape!! That is how much I love "Cold Front"!!! Available to buy at the above highlighted link, Freeways first release it one of the greatest hard rock/heavy metal debut recordings out there. This is a catchy EP from a band that has the potential to be the next big thing out of Canada. Hopefully 2018 will bring a full-length album from this incredible band, but in the meantime I am just going to play this EP none-stop!!!
Evil Hunter is a (hard & heavy-infused) traditional/power metal band from Spain. The group is lead by vocalist Damián Chicano and features musicians with ties to such bands as WarCry, Nova Era, Lords of Black, Nightfear, and Black Hat. On April 10th, 2018 the group is planning to release their full-length debut album. It is a self-titled affair with eight original compositions. Starting off with the heavy metal banger that is "Surf the Waves" (I just love the guitars on this metallic jam!), "Evil Hunter" is a great example of modern day (passionate and precision-cut) heavy/power metal. Armed with killer guitarists and a cool lead singer who sounds like Axl Rose on a N.W.O.B.H.M. kick(!), Evil Hunter is cranks out hard-hitting /high-classic traditional heavy metal that is as melodic as it is powerful. On their first full-length album this talented Spanish band mixes classic heavy/power metal numbers with hard and heavy rock elements so that they can in give the audience a truly unique listening experience. Thanks in no small part to their versatile front-man and a rock-inspired rhythm section, Evil Hunter is able to pull of hair-raising heavy metal cuts and the obligatory ballad. Well-produced and comprised of nothing but solid numbers, this eight song album is something that that Spanish act should be extremely proud of. As far as recommendations go, "Evil Hunter" should appeal to fans of traditional heavy metal and power metal.
PS: While there are heavy rock and hard rock elements to be found on this well-assembled album, at it's core "Evil Hunter" is (guitar-heavy) classic/power metal with great vocals and top of the line musicians. That means the album is versatile enough to appeal to hard and heavy fans, but it's really meant for heavy metal fanatics.
Black Star Riders, Saxon and Judas Priest
The Anthem
Washington DC
March 18th, 2018
The mighty Priest descended upon the nation's capital on an unusually warm March evening. Opening up were Black Star Riders who released their third album last year. This was of course the band that was formed out of was left of the band that was still calling themselves Thin Lizzy. Their sound is sort of a 90's hard rock mixed with occasional traces of Irish music. They come on just a few minutes late and the venue is maybe half filled. Their stage presence was steady but for me they were very average. I was glad to see veteran guitarist Scott Gorham still going at enjoying what he was doing.
Highlight-Probably them doing Thin Lizzy's Jailbreak.
The Anthem begins filling up nicely after their set and the banner goes up with the cover of Saxon's latest release Thunderbolt while the roadies get their gear set up. More people are pushing to the front because let's face it even though we were mainly there to see the Priest plenty of us were also there to see the NWOBHM legends as well. The band emerged in the dark and when the lights came on they erupted. It's hard to tell what older bands might be good or not live, but Saxon seem to tour constantly and they were on fire. There set was a mix of tracks from the newest release Thunderbolt and classics from their heyday between 1980 and 1984. The place was about filled early into Saxon's set and the crowd was into them the whole time. Biff Byford interacted well with the crowd even borrowing a denim vest from someone in the crowd, slipping it on and then launching into Denim and leather. They did what a good opening act should do which is get the crowd pumped up for the headliner and the mighty Saxon delivered.
Highlights-The whole set really, but if forced to choose I'd say The power and the glory, Denim and leather, Princess of the night and the closer Heavy Metal Thunder.
The crowd begins pushing up to the front as the curtain is dropped for Judas Priest's road crew to get their gear and stage set up. This was only my second time seeing Priest as the first time was way back in 1990 on the Painkiller tour. It seemed like we waited an eternity and then War Pigs comes on and everyone begins singing along as we know the start is near. Guardians the instrumental from the new album comes on then bam the curtain goes down, the metal gods appear and they launch into the title track from their latest Firepower and it's on. I have to admit I did not like the Ripper Owens era nor was I big on the first three albums with Halford back at the helm, but Firepower is their best album in decades and live it was like they hadn't lost a step at all. Faulkner went in for the retired KK seven years ago and of course Andy Sneep is in for the ailing Glen Tipton, but it's still Priest. After the opener they went into a number of songs they hadn't played as much live in recent years which only got the crowd more into it. The pace was relentless and they kept hammering the crowd with killer tracks like Bloodstone and Running Wild. Then now forgetting about the new album they went into Lightning Strike the first release off the new album. Next up was Saints in hell from Stained Class and this is of course the first tour they have played this song live. I was singing along and this guy about half my age puts his hand on my shoulders and says "sing it, man, sing it" and we both did as loud as we could. One of the great things about this show wasn't just that younger people showed up for this but that they knew the old Priest (and Saxon) songs and were just as thrilled and familiar with something like Saints in hell and Sinner as they were with the band's more known tracks. Halford ruled the stage knowing they were in control. Ian Hill stays semi in the background as always but is obviously into it too. Scott Travis (nearly 30 years in the band now) is a machine behind the kit. Richie Faulkner has gone from being the new guy to being a center of the show and making it look easy. Some people have criticized Andy Sneep saying he lacks stage presence or whatever but remember he is filling in as Glen has not left the band so I think Andy is being respectful and filling his role. He did very well at that in my opinion. Anyways back to the show Priest had everyone eating out of their hands as even turbo lover and Angel sounded good live. Some heads are gonna roll had the place buzzing with intensity. It got even louder with Rob road his motorcycle out and they launched into Hell bent for leather. Scott Travis got to introduce Painkiller and pit of about 20 or so people opened up near me. It was insane by this point which was all cool. After that they came back for the encore and Electric Eye had the place bouncing, Metal Gods had the place singing at a deafening level and the expected tracks You've got another thing comin' and Livin' after midnight closed out their set. The band rightfully took a bow and excited and the screen above them proclaimed the Priest would be back. Holy crap somehow, someway they were just as good as they were when I saw them in 1990. I had my doubts going into it, but the legendary band delivered (yeah, the goods). I made my way out into the air and like everyone else still standing around I was talking non-stop about how amazing that was. If you get a chance to see them then yes see them on this tour.
Highlights-Yeah, the whole things, but if I have to narrow it down then Running Wild, Bloodstone, The Ripper, Saints in hell, Painkiller and Electric Eye.
Based in Leeds, England and currently fronted by Paul Walsh, Dream Tröll is a epic heavy metal/power metal band that made it's studio debut in 2017 with the full-length album "The Knight of Rebellion". The group's new EP, "The Witch's Curse", was released in early February. It is a three-track recording with truly inspired lyrics and well-structured material that is as melodic as it is memorable! Arguable one of the most well-rounded N.W.O.T.H.M. bands out there these days, Dream Tröll has so much potential that you almost have to wonder if there wasn't some form of otherworldly-intervention! If true heavy with metal with great lead vocals, killer riffs, and epic metal overtones is your thing (and why shouldn't it be?) then "The Witch's Curse" is a must-have!!
Formed in 2006 by Andrey "Druknroll" (guitars, bass, keys, and drum programming), Druknroll is a Russian metal band that I have had the pleasure of covering in the past (link). The recently-released "Unbalanced" is the fifth full-length album from this dark & dangerous group that is currently fronted by Alexander "Horror" Tolgaev (Svartstorm). Having started out in life as a solo project, Druknroll's one of a kind sound combines elements of hard & heavy rock, progressive metal, melodic thrash metal, death metal, and modern metal. Now in it's twelfth year of existence (and every-bit as different as their name implies!), this edgy-outfit has a lot to offer to modern metal fans and heavy death thrashers.
Seattle metal bands Into the Storm and Smooth Sailing have teamed up to release this simply-stellar split. Due for release tomorrow, the six-track recording features two tracks by Into The Storm and four tracks by Smooth Sailing. Starting off with the fittingly-named Into the Storm, tracks "Murder Murder Murder" and "So how do you explain all the dead unicorns?" showcase the noisy sounds of this stoner/sludgy modern metal band. Both tracks are epic in their own way, but it's the opening single "Murder Murder Murder" that really wrecks your mind and makes you want to hear what else this heavy-hitting band has up it's sleeves! Formed in 2010, Into the Storm has slowly but surely evolved into a truly-formidable outfit that needs to be heard to be fully appreciated!! Moving past these Seattle sludge warriors, Smooth Sailing might not have the most metallic moniker out there, but their music more than makes up for it! Armed with killer riffs and a beast-mode mentality, Smooth Sailing also flirts with stoner rock, sludge metal, and modern metal on their four tracks. Unlike Into the Storm, Smooth Sailing also tosses heavy (post) rock into the mix. Add in some progressive metal and a brief spot or two of space rock and you have this aggressive metal band that knows how to keep things interesting. It's for that reason that I actually prefer Smooth Sailing's tracks. That being said, Into the Storm is all kinds of awesome in their own right. When you combine these two extreme groups on a split like this the results speak for themselves. Available for pre-order by heading here here, this split release is proof positive that the Seattle metal scene is not only alive, but more menacing than ever!
Children of the Reptile is a U.S. traditional heavy metal/epic metal band that has been active since 2009. Lead by vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Ozzie Darden (ex-Death Machine Weapons, ex-The Disasters), this four-piece band is based in Wilmington, North Carolina and has two EPs and two full-length albums to it's name. Released in late-January of this year, the nine-track "The End" is the second full-length release from Children of the Reptile. It serves as the follow-up to 2016's well-received "The Four Weapons EP" and finds this U.S. metal band sounding better than ever! As with the group's last EP, "The End" features damn catchy material that should please not only long-time fans of the group, but anyone that appreciates true heavy metal. If your personal CD collection includes everything from Megadeth and Metallica to Thin Lizzy, Dio, solo-Ozzy, Manilla Road, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest then you are going to dig this outfit. You simply cannot go wrong when you mix Ozzie's tremendous vocal delivery with blazing guitar solo and the one-two punch that is this album's rhythm section! Having made their debut in 2012 with a 3-song EP, Children of the Reptile has grown into one of the most dependable metal bands out there. There is no reason why this band shouldn't be in your personal music collection and I have no idea why they are still unsigned! Just like the group's last studio album, "The End" is a A+ release in a day and age when far too many bands are just going through the motions.
Street Symphonies Records/Burning Minds Music Group
2017
Enrico Sarzi (Midnight Sun) is an Italian singer-songwriter/hard & heavy rocker. Back on November 17th, 2017 this veteran musician released his full-length debut, "Drive Through". With the album's title being a nod of appreciation towards Enrico's biggest passion (Formula 1 car races), the 11-track disc finds this Midnight Sun member drawing from a wide-array of inspirations. Self-dubbed "Easy Hard Rock", Enrico's first solo album features something for everyone's tastes. Not only is there a couple of real hard and heavy rockers, but (grunge-infused) classic rock, AOR-like ballads, and a excellent sax-laden number ("Strange Freedom"). Granted that is to be expected when an artist is influenced by everyone from Alice In Chains to Adèle! Geared towards anyone that just loves all things rock (from Bad Company to The Cult), "Drive Through" has great production values, well-crafted numbers, and a remarkably confident vibe. It's the perfect album for when you are in the mode for something slightly-different...
Warside is a (N.W.O.B.H.M.-influenced and eighties metal inspired) heavy metal band from Brazil that is lead by Leonardo Leão. Available for fee at the following site,"Warside" looks to be the group's first demo. It is a four-track EP that could easily pass as a long-lost relic from the early eighties. Despite it's so-so artwork, "Warside" is a fun listen and a release that I would recommend to fans of old-school metal.
ALO Records
2018
Do you remember Boogie Hammer? God knows I do. Based in Veinna, Austria and lead by guitarist/vocalist D. "Süpürgesi" Vacuum (Genocide SS, The Accidents), this band rocked the living daylights out of my life with their 2017 demo, "First Blood"! That 6-song EP was the shit!! Admittedly I was a little late to the party (having just covered that bad mofo last month), but hot damn kids, here we are in February and what do you suppose ends up in my lap? If you said a new girlfriend then A) I thank you for the confidence you have in me and B) you are way off (as in really folks, who is going to date my old, ugly, and disabled butt?). Nah man, I am talking about a new Boogie Hammer release! That's right ladies and gentlemen. Just when I was having a bad day, Boogie Hammer struts on it and is like "BAM!", here's "Piledriver"! Mad thanks guys!! Due to drop at some point in the immediate future, this 7" EP is as much fun as you can have in this day and age without ending up in jail! This four-track EP falls somewhere between real punk (The Ramones!) and back alley (bad to the core) rock and roll. Like the old school wrestling finisher that it is named for, "Piledriver" picks you up and then drives you straight into the ground! Actually, this EP is more like a spiked-piledriver right onto the bad streets of rock and roll. Only instead of receiving a horrible injury, Boogie Hammer leaves you will a wide grin on your face and the feeling that you want to inject this guitar-heavy drug into your veins over and over again. Good music is supposed to do that to you. It's supposed to life you up out of your slump and make you not only feel something, but make you feel as if you are truly alive. Maybe for the first time in a long time. It's bands like Boogie Hammer that keep me going on when the feeling has left me. For that I am extremely grateful. In case it isn't obviously in closing, "Piledriver" comes highly recommended.
Heavyskies is a California heavy/thrash metal band that is comprised of Chris Dauenhauer (guitar/vocals), Gabriel Moreira (guitar, vocals), Matt Barnhart (bass), and Josh Josten (drums). Formed in late 2016, this San Jose-based group lists it's influences as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Anthrax, Slayer, and Metallica. Based on what "Heavy Demo" has to offer (and it's a solid amount of promise) I'd say that the group's biggest influence would be (post-Master Of Puppets) Metallica (up to and including the Load/Re-Load period of this once great thrash metal band). Either way this four-track EP is free to download.
Formed in late-2014, Weaponlord is a heavy/power metal band that hails from Seattle, Washington and is currently fronted by vocalist/guitarist Bison Longshot (ex-Arsenal). Just released on March 9th, "Hail the Victorious" is the full-length debut from this U.S. metal band that also includes guitarist Cody J. Brumlow (ex-Arsenal), bassist/backing vocalist Leona Hayward (Northern Crown, ex-Faethom, ex-Impurity, ex-Antitheist), and drummer Chris Craven (Oxygen Destroyer, Perception, ex-Arsenal). The 10-track album runs close to 44 minutes and it joins a back-catalog that includes a demo, one split, and two singles. Having gone through the obligatory line-up changes getting from point A to point B, Weaponlord has developed their own brand of (simply-killer!) heavy/power metal. With screaming vocals torn straight out of the pages of the vintage U.S. power metal scene(!), this Seattle outfit seems to take it's cue from old-school U.S. power metal (up to and including (early) Metal Church and fellow Washington natives, Sanctuary), traditional metal (the heavier the better), and (nineties-era) Judas Priest. Thanks to a lot of hard work and dedication to their craft, Weaponlord takes these different elements and makes something all their own. In this day and age you couldn't ask for a better example of (top of the self brand) American heavy/power metal than this band. Based solely on the strength of this well-recorded debut album, Weaponlord should be scooped up and signed to a label in no time flat!
Vänlade is a talented U.S. heavy metal/power metal band that has been active since 2006. The group is fronted by Brett "Blackout" Scott (one stone cold killer metal front man!) and so far in their career the group has released two full-length albums, two demos, one EP, and this recently-released single. Available for free over at the group's bandcamp page, the must-hear "Highway Hounds" is a catchy metal track that clocks in at almost five and a half minutes! That's five and a half minutes of Grade A hard & heavy/power metal from a Kansas City-based band that sure knows how to craft slick metal anthems!! Serving as the follow-up to the group's 2016 (all covers) EP, "Wayward Sons: Masters of Time, Vol. I", "Highway Hounds" is for anyway that just loves true heavy metal and U.S. power metal. For more information on this cool band (and when and where you can see them live!) be sure to check out the group's Facebook page.
Formed in 2016 (and previously known as Toxic Room), Toxikull is a (killer!) Portuguese speed/thrash metal band that sports one bass ass moniker! Thank the metal gods above and below then that their latest single, "Nightraiser", lives up to the group's fucking wicked name!! Fronted by the brothers Lex Thunder (Midnight Priest) and Michael Blade, Toxikull* goes straight for the jugular with the raw and utterly ruthless "Nightraiser"! It mixes classic speed metal and thrash with modern heavy/thrash metal. Filled with great guitar work, a sick rhythm section, and demonic screams from hell, this headbanger clocks in at just over five minutes! Well-written and all but guaranteed to start a mosh pit(!), "Nightraiser" also serves as the title cut for the band's upcoming EP. If this sinister single is anything to go by, "The Nightraiser" EP might just be one of the best speed/thrash metal releases of 2018! We can only hope. While we wait for that moment, this monster of a metal moment can be experienced by checking out the video below. Enjoy!
*Possessed by the spirits of old school heavy metal, speed metal, and thrash, Toxikull also includes bassist/vocalist Armageddon (Booze Abuser, Okkultist) and drummer The Lorke.
Awaken Shepherd is a (hard & heavy) alternative rock band from Austria that takes it's cues from both heavy metal and pop-rock. The group is fronted by Harald Johann Zettl (aka: "Johnny Paper") and includes Werner Jauk (lead guitar), Heinz Schwarzäugl (rhythm guitar), Mathias Rak (bass), and Nino Markgraf (drums). Due out on March 16th, "Speed" is the 2nd single from the group's upcoming debut album, "Into The Light". It is a (short & sweet) foot-tapper with graceful vocals and a catchy chorus. At three minutes in length, "Speed" sounds as if it is destined for airplay on both alternative rock and (modern-day) rock radio stations. You can check out the official video for "Speed" below.
Formed in 2016 and featuring members of the heavy/doom metal band Arkham Witch, Vampire Death is a (old school-loving) punk rock/horror rock trio from Keighley, UK that is lead by vocalist/guitarist Moshferatu. Influences seem to include The Misfits, Dead Kennedys, The Damned, The Cramps, T.S.O.L., Sex Pistols, and The Exploited. In addition to Moshferatu (guitars and mad mad vox!), Vampire Death includes drummer/metal goddess Countess Bashery and bassist/backing vocalist Klankenstein. Preceded in life by the full-length "Horror Soul", Vampire Death released "Demos 2017" back in late November of 2017. Available on CD and as a digital download, this 12-track album is a must for fans of British punk and horror punk!
Song titles include "Brother Blood and Sister Syn", "On the Prowl", "Dracula has Risen from the Grave", "Coffin Dweller", "Barbarians!", "Headbangers!", and "Skullface". That alone should tell you something about this fun act! If you need more proof though then why not head over to the group's bandcamp page and hear this ghoulish gem for yourself? You can find both "Demos 2017" and "Hour Soul" at this link.
I have not been able to write any lately, hoping to jump back into it soon and help Andy out.
I'm hoping to listen to the new Priest once it comes out. I'm also listening to these-
Lots of Sepultura
Tons of Priest
Skullhammer-Resisting Time
Warbringer-Woe to the vanquished
Obscene-Sermon to the snake
Whipstriker-Merciless Artillery
Litltle Caesar-Eight
Art Of Melody Music/Burning Minds Music Group
2017
Lead by vocalist Davide Gilardino and featuring the services of skilled drummer Italo Graziana (Soul Seller), Italian AOR band Mindfeels has been active in one form or another since 1994. Originally known as Dejanira, with Italo Graziana serving as one of the group's co-founders alongside Luca Carlomagno (guitars, keyboards, violin) and Roberto Barazzotto (bass), Mindfeels started out in life playing Toto covers before making the switch over to all original compositions. Jump forward a few years and Mindfeels is just now seeing all of the hard work and dedication pay off in the form of a full-length debut. Released back in mid-November of 2017, the self-produced "XXenty" is the end result of that long journey. Starting off with the smooth soft rock of "Don't Leave Me Alone", this 11-track album is well-written and features superb performance courtesy of true professionals. With guest keyboards from Christian Rossetti, "XXenty" also serves as a fresh new start point for this up-and-coming AOR band that just might be trying to be Italy's version of Toto! If the group's full-length debut album is any indication, Mindfeels is not quite up to the gold star standards set by Toto, but damn if they aren't on their way! Obviously fans of Toto will want to check out this Italian band. The same goes for AOR fanatics. Given time to grow into their own skin, "XXenty" could be the first step towards something amazing in AOR. The talent is all there and so is the enthusiasm. At the end of the day I've got to big give props to this Italian outfit for trying their best! This band has a lot of potential and I look forward to what comes next.
Lead by vocalist/guitarist Timo Takala (Septure), Finland's Steel Machine previously appeared on this site back in mid-March of 2017 (link). Here it is nearly one year later and this (Motörhead, Tank, and Carnivore influenced!) hard rock/heavy metal/speed metal band is back on the attack and meaner than ever before! Having just loved their 2016 debut EP, "Burning Valves", I jumped at the chance to download this 5-track release. Within the first few moments of opener "Spearhead" I knew that this EP was going to be something really special. By the time the riff-rocking title track closed things out, "Purifying Fire" not only proved my earlier suspicions, but completely blew the hell out of my heavy metal-loving heart!! Whether it is "To the Top" (live Motörhead meets early Tank?) or the almost-Metallica like "Beggars and Liars"*, Steel Machine's second EP is just too damn good to pass up! Released on March 2nd (making it blazing hot to the touch!), "Purifying Fire" is a must have for anyone that loves (raw & real) heavy metal/speed metal, Motörhead, and/or the Belgium band Killer!! With bassist Sebastian Bergman (Chevalier, Decaying, Sodotory) and drummer Juha Forsström (Brainspoon) rounding out the line-up, 2018 should be the year in which some record label realizes just how fucking epic this metal trio is. Until that inevitable moment happens, keep on rocking and rolling Steel Machine.
Based in Vancouver, British Columbia and falling somewhere between hard & heavy rock and roll and (working man's) heavy metal, DamseL (sic) is a slightly-sleazy five-piece band that knows how to write some damn catchy material! Sadly there are only two songs on the group's "Demos" ("Obscene Machine" and "Dead of Night"), but when they are both awesome(!) that helps to ease the pain!!! So far this seems to be the only release from DamseL. Hopefully that will change in the near future. In the meantime this two-track release in free to download. If you ask me (and really, more people should!*) that is a absolute-steal for hard & heavy rock and roll songs like this, but seeing as I don't set the prices for these things who am I too complain?
Free Metal Morning: Mournful Cries-They Horror Come
Self-Release/Independent
2018
Mournful Cries is a doom metal/heavy metal band from Santa Rosa, California. The group is lead by vocalist/guitarist Luis Olguin (Sepulchre) and includes the rhythm section of bassist Matt Lasserre (Scrape the Earth) and drummer Alex Hernandez. Preceded in life by the 2017 demo "Budlust/Evil Confessor", "They Horror Come" is the group's latest release. It includes two song ("Hallowed Tomb" and "Witches Herbs") that are A: Heavy & hard on the doom metal side of things and B: Heavy & harsh on the (slightly-fuzzed over) heavy metal aspect of this trio. While the vocals are a bit hit or miss (you'll either like them or loathe them), "They Horror Come" is (music-wise) incredibly solid. Available to download for free by clicking here, this two-song release clocks in at nearly twenty minutes! Can you say epic doom/heavy metal!!!!
Astray Valley is a female-fronted modern metal band from Spain that has been active since 2014. Fronted by lead singer Clau Violette (a fearsome front-woman with incredible range!), Astray Valley's latest single, "Northlights", is taken from the group's (as yet untitled?) forthcoming album. It is a brutal (and yet balanced) take on modern metal from this skilled and well-rounded band. Formed by Clau Violette, guitarist Joan Aneris, bassist Jorge Romero and drummer Erny Roca, Astray Valley seems to be headed in the right direction based on the dynamics of their new song. Fans of not only modern metal, but extreme metal would be well-advised to check this Spanish group out. In the meantime you can check out the official video for "Northlights" right below this piece.
Traveler is a Canadian heavy/power metal band from Calgary, Alberta that is fronted by Jean-Pierre Abboud. Influenced by vintage metal, epic metal, (classic) U.S. power metal, and N.W.O.B.H.M., Traveler comes across as a veteran outfit at the peak of it's career! That is not entirely unexpected (given the bios of the three musicians behind this project), but what is surprising is just how exceptional this demo is! Recorded at Richhobo Studios over the winter of 2017, the 3-track "Demo 2018" was written by guitarist/bassist Matt Ries. With drummer Jan Loncik rounding out the line-up, the songs are "Starbreaker", "Behind The Iron", and "Mindless Maze". All three numbers are simply fantastic(!), Traveler mixing phenomenal metal music with Jean-Pierre Abboud's epic voice! On a scale of 1-10, Traveler's demo gets a 10 all day long!! So far this is only available as digital download, but I have no doubt that some record label is going to scoop this release up.
"you need to just stop acting like douchebags and get a fucking life."“You are insignificant and do not support 80s metal so go fuck yourselves and stop pretending to be 'metal'.”
-Sam
"So, in closing, fuck you METAL MARK. Fuck you, fuck Lynch Mob, and fuck your shitty website!”
“I don't know who this METAL MARK is, but I know better than to waste my time checking out anything else written by this asshole”
-Mike
