Top 5 Albums from Simone Dow - VOYAGER

A powerful and seductive cocktail of lush soundscapes, shuddering djent riffs and massive prog vocals, VOYAGER are a sonic kaleidoscope. Embarking on a rescheduled national tour in February on the back of their latest album Colours in the Sun, shredder Simone Dow took us through five albums you need to drop everything and listen to right now:

1. LEPROUS – Pitfalls (2019)

“Normally their second album Coal would be my ultimate favourite pick, however their newest record Pitfalls wrapped itself around my heart and soul immediately, to the point that it has barely left my rotation since its release, and has managed to just nudge itself on top! A deceivingly complex, incredibly lush and absolutely moving album from my favourite band. The last track The Sky is Red is an absolute masterclass in modern progressive music and provides a good solid eleven mins of stank face with its crushing grooves.”

2. MONUMENTS – Gnosis (2012)

“2012 was an extremely difficult year for me, and the debut record Gnosis from UK tech lords MONUMENTS was one of the albums of that year that really helped me push through. I remember accidentally stumbling across these guys when a playthrough of the tune The Uncollective came up on my YouTube recommendations, and I immediately purchased the album. Percussive and aggressive riffs in amongst dark ambient clean passages, drum chops for days and vocals screamed with such ferocity and venom, there are moments you just wanna flip a table and get down (crank Degenerate and see what I mean).”

3. WE LOST THE SEA – Departure Songs (2015)

“I must thank Mr Lochlan Watt for this find, after reading a heartfelt and moving post about this record and its concept late one night while having trouble sleeping and just buying it. What followed was one of the most moving and emotional listening experiences I have had. The band describe the album as being “inspired by failed, yet epic and honourable journeys or events throughout history where people have done extraordinary things for the greater good of those around them, and the progress of the human race itself”. More than that, it encapsulates the beauty, strength and fragility of the human spirit and immediately takes your mind and heart to those who are no longer in your life, but have left such a massive imprint on your heart and your own journey, even after they have departed.”

4. VOLA – In Mazes (2015)

“To sell this record to you all, just play the tracks Stray the Skies and Gutter Moon. If those two tracks don’t do it for you, nothing will! A late-night link of Gutter Moon was what sent me off on my VOLA journey. If you dig your prog rock/metal with some sweet 80s synths and ambient soundscapes amongst those elastic riffs, topped off with vocals as smooth as silk like we do, then this is the band for you. Their tunes just bring unbridled joy and a massive smile to my face.”

5. CAR BOMB – Meta (2016)

“Where do you even begin with a band like CAR BOMB? These frenetic math-metallers from Long Island, NY are like some weird, thrashy mixture of PANTERA, MESHUGGAH and DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN (to name a few). The very first time a mate played these guys for me my mind was blown, but they are definitely an acquired taste, and far from “easy listening”. I just love the chaotic transitions between thrashy riffs, insane time signature changes and big, fat grooves for days. Not to mention Elliot Hoffman and Greg Kubacki are absolutely insane on drums and guitar.”