Artist: Traveler
Title: Prequel To Madness
Genre: Heavy Metal
Release Date: 23rd February 2024
Label: No Remorse Records
Review Flash
I don’t know if certain bands are as well-known as they feel they are, TRAVELER is one of those bands that feel like they are famous but are not or at least not to a satisfying extent. Vocalist JP Abboud is probably best known for his work with GATEKEEPER with which he worked from 2016 to 2021. Abboud’s partners in crime are riff machine Matt Ries (HRTOM, KONTACT, ex-GATEKRASHÖR, ex-REBORN PARIAH), Toryin Schadlich on the second axe (HAZZERD, SCHÄDLICH), Nolan Benedetti on drums (HROM, ex - GATEKRASHÖR, ex- SHRAPNEL, ex -W.M.D) and bass-man Jake Axl Wendt (HROM, WYCH, ex - SHRAPNEL, ex - HAZZERD, ex - W.M.D). ‘Prequel To Madness’ is the band’s third full-length strike and it shows the skills of all involved in all its spacy old-school Heavy Metal glory. JP’s vocals are still as raw and raspy as ever, he still hits the high notes and goes hard as fuck, the riffs provided by Ries and Schadlich are melodic, fierce and hotter than hell and the rhythm section consisting of Wendt and Benedetti are the flawless clockwork that makes it work. In the past it always bugged me that the TRAVELER releases were really good but did not manage to scratch the “itch” that some other bands could but not this time. ‘Prequel To Madness’ builds upon the bands trademark power and melody and expands those qualities, amplifies them so to say. I don’t know what changed with these dudes but this could be a runner for record of the year.
Conclusion: Check out ‘Rebell Of Earth’ and ‘Vagrants Of Time’ these are hymns, bangers and just top notch tracks to kick in doors to and set things afire.
Rating: 9 / 10
