2019 was a banner year for Traveler. The Canadian metal machine released their self titled debut album. It was met with much praise from myself and many others in the traditional metal underground. They supported it by storming the festival circuit. This included a memorable set at last year’s Legions of Metal festival in Chicago. On a lineup filled with both rising stars and veteran favorites, Traveler’s set was the best of the weekend next to the mighty Cirith Ungol. The room was packed and the crowd headbanged, fist pumped, and sang along to every song. From the looks of it, you’d think Traveler was around for ages, not a mere few years. It only makes sense that they’d keep this momentum going with the arrival of their second album, Termination Shock.
It used to be commonplace for metal bands to release albums annually in between endless tours. Maiden put out an album every year from 1980 to 1984. Priest did the same from 1976 to 1982. Saxon released Wheels of Steel and Strong Arm of the Law less than six months apart. In this respect, Traveler not only captures the sounds of 1980s metal, but the business model as well! I’m all for this. Some may argue a band burns out from overdoing it. When you’re as professional as Traveler, you don’t need to worry about this. I’ve seen too many bands put out great records, tour, and rest, only to sluggishly return with a mediocre album which pales in comparison to the previous effort. In Traveler’s case, Termination Shock is just as excellent as their debut, if not better.
The album opens with “Shaded Mirror” and it’s as if no time has passed since the debut. Traveler picks up right where they left off. We’ve got the dynamic vocals of Jean-Pierre Abboud, the precise twin guitar blitz of Matt Ries and Toryin Schadlich, and a knack for hooks which is simply unmatched in the NWOTHM realm. What impressed me the most about their debut was that at any given point in time last year, a song was stuck in my head. This resulted in me listening to it over and over and over again. I see the same happening with Termination Shock as 2020 goes along. Songs like the title track, “Foreverman”, and “STK” are full metal anthems with extra emphasis on melody. Most of the current AOR/melodic rock acts wish they could write songs this memorable, let alone metal bands.
While Termination Shock is in the same spirit as their debut, it’s not a complete rehash. The ironically titled “Diary of a Maiden” and “After the Storm” veer into progressive territory. I say “Diary of a Maiden” is ironically titled because it sounds similar to Iron Maiden’s Piece of Mind (1983). On Piece of Mind, Maiden began to add gentle passages and adventurous guitar solos to their signature, galloping NWOBHM sound. Traveler does the same on this song and “After the Storm”. I’m a little surprised, but I shouldn’t be. It wasn’t long ago I had an intense late night discussion with singer Abboud regarding Genesis and our favorite Asia songs. The dude takes his prog seriously! All in all, these influences are a fine addition to the Traveler sound.
My favorite track on the debut was the rip roaring closer, “Speed Queen”. It’s in that same spirit they deliver my favorite song, “Deepspace”. Buckle your seatbelt and prepare for take off. This punishing display of speed emits enough g-force to split your skull in half. Yet no matter how fast or intense Traveler plays, they retain the same focus on melody as they do on the mid tempo songs.
Upon hearing Traveler’s debut last February, I told myself it was going to be the album of the year. Sure enough, it was. I’m going to place a safe bet and say the same for Termination Shock. I can’t imagine another album this year reaching such heights of perfection. Matter of fact, I’d be SHOCKED if one did (See what I did there?). Traveler are, without a doubt, the best and most convincing act of the NWOTHM. Every song is equally memorable and executed with precise attention to detail. I can’t think of an appropriate closing, so I’ll let the band conclude this review with a lyric from “Foreverman”: “Rock n’ roll never dies!”
10 out of 10
Label: Gates of Hell Records
Genre: Heavy Metal
For fans of: Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, early Queensrÿche