Voyager (metal band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Voyager


Img_capt =
Img_size =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Perth, Western Australia
Genre = Progressive metal Power metal
Years_active = 1999-present
Label = Dockyard 1 Records
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.voyager-australia.com]
Current_members = Daniel M Estrin
Alex Canion
Mark Boeijen
Simone Dow

Voyager is a Melodic Metal band from Perth, Western Australia. The band was founded in 1999 and released its debut album "Element V" in 2003. Their most recent album is "uniVers", released in 2007.

History

VOYAGER (band) are a "Progressive Metal" band from Perth, Western Australia. Formed in 1999 by Daniel Estrin, a German-born musician, Mark Baker and Adam Lovkis, the band saw a few lineup changes before recording the album Element V in 2003 with Aidan Barton at Sovereign Studios, Willetton, Western Australia. The lineup for Element V consisted of Daniel Estrin (keyboards, vocals), Mark De Vattimo (guitar), Jennah Graieg (bass), Geoff Callaghan (drums) and Emanuel Rudnicki (drums), who briefly played in true metal band Black Steel in 2002.

The album Element V was picked up by Dutch label DVS Records and released in Europe in 2004. Japanese label Woodbell/Experience licenced the album for Japanese distribution in the same year and released it with a bonus track "Now and Forever".

Voyager's popularity increased with the European release of Element V and the band secured its first major support, opening for Steve Vai in Perth in July 2004.

After the release of Element V, Melissa Fiocco replaced Jennah on bass. Following a performance at Melbourne's Corner Hotel in late 2005 as part of a Screaming Symphony radio benefit concert, both Emanuel and Geoff were replaced by Simone Dow and Mark Boeijen respectively. Boeijen is best known for his drumming for Perth extreme metal bands Samain and Vesper's Descent.

In early 2006, Voyager entered Sovereign studios to record 'uniVers', with Boeijen and Dow as firm members of the band. Voyager shot a video clip to the radio edit version of the song "Sober" and released this as a limited edition single on 22 July 2006 with the tracks "White Shadow" (also on 'uniVers') and "Garden of Love". Apparently "Garden of Love" is based on a poem by William Blake of the same name. Only 500 copies of the single were pressed.

The band performed at the ProgPower Festival in the Netherlands in 2006 and received positive responses from the media. As a result of this performance, Voyager were invited to ProgPower UK in 2008.

In late 2006, Voyager were due to perform with Nevermore, whose Perth leg of the show was ultimately cancelled. Voyager were also due to support Yngwie Malmsteen following their return from the first European Tour, but were struck from the show last minute because Malmsteen did not want any support acts for his Australian tour.

In early 2007, DVS Records announced its closure and Voyager had no label to release their album 'uniVers', which was fully recorded at that stage.

In October 2007, the band signed to German label Dockyard 1 Records in Hamburg, who released 'uniVers' worldwide, with the USA receiving the album for distribution in January 2008 through Locomotive Records. 'uniVers' received critical acclaim throughout the world, being voted album of the month in Belgium's Mindview magazine, album of the week in Finland's Imperiumi magazine as well as #7 for the Full Metal Racket albums of 2007 on Australia's national alternative broadcasting station Triple J.

The band parted ways with bass player Melissa Fiocco shortly after the release of 'uniVers', a split which was not without controversy. Fiocco was replaced by Alex Canion, who was 18 years old at the time of joining. Shortly after Canion's first appearance with Voyager in Perth, Western Australia, the band embarked on a mini-tour to Sydney and Melbournewith labelmates Eyefear, to promote 'uniVers'.

Recent events

In January 2008, Voyager performed with Finnish melodic metal band Nightwish in Perth, Western Australia. The band's scheduled Australian tour with Toto in March 2008 was cancelled, apparently due to Toto's stage requirements.

In late February 2008, ProgPower UK was also cancelled due to poor ticket sales. Voyager indicated in press releases that they would continue their European tour of Denmark, Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland in spite of the cancellation.

In June 2008, Voyager parted ways with guitarist Mark De Vattimo due to personal and professional differences. The band is currently auditioning replacement guitarists and intends to enter the studio within the next few months to record its third album.

tyle

Voyager's diverse style of music incorporates all facets of the musical spectrum into its melodic metal sound. The band has received both praise and criticism for this, with some media embracing the musical diversity and some labelling it as "too varied". Most reviews make it a point to warn that Voyager's music is not for narrow minds

Online downloads

Voyager are one of the few metal bands whose albums are made available for full download purchase from the band's website, a trend which is prevalent in the electronic music industry but has largely been rejected in the metal world.

Current members

*Daniel Estrin - lead vocals, keyboards

*Mark Boeijen - drums

*Alex Canion - bass guitar, vocals

*Simone Dow - guitar

Former Members

*Mark De Vattimo (1999-2008) - guitar/back voc

*Adam Lovkis (1999-2003) - drums

*Mark Baker (1999-2000) - keyboards

*Jennah Graieg (2002-2004) - bass guitar

*Melissa Fiocco (2004-2007) - bass guitar

*Emanuel Rudnicki (2001-2005) - guitar

*Geoff Callaghan (2003-2005) - drums

Discography

*uniVers (2007/2008)

*Sober single (2006)

*Element V (2003)

External links

* [http://www.voyager-australia.com/ Official homepage]
* [http://www.myspace.com/voyageraustralia/ VoyagerMyspace]
* [http://www.dockyard1.com/ Dockyard 1 Records]