Voyager (metal band)

Formation and Element V (1999-2003)

Voyager are a progressive metal band from Perth, Western Australia. Formed in 1999 at the University of Western Australia by Daniel Estrin, 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 (guitar), in 2002. The album "Element V" was released in Australia in 2003, and then picked up by Dutch label DVS Records and released in Europe the following year. Japanese label Woodbell/Experience licensed the album for Japanese distribution in the same year and released it with a bonus track "Now and Forever". Voyager's popularity increased rapidly following 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.

uniVers and ProgPower Europe (2006-2007)

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 in 2006.

The band performed at the ProgPower Europe 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 was also nominated in the Top 10 of the MusicOz Awards

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 Melbourne with labelmates Eyefear, to promote "uniVers". In January 2008, Voyager performed with 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 that they would continue their European tour of Denmark, Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland in spite of the cancellation. Their tour included a performance with '80s arena rock band House of Lords at the Ballroom Hamburg. In June 2008, guitarist Mark De Vattimo quit Voyager due to personal and musical differences. Voyager performed together with Queensrÿche in August 2009 and with Deathstars from Sweden in September 2009.

I am the reVolution (2009-2011)

After recording new songs with Adam Round at Kingdom Studios in Maylands, Western Australia and having the tracks mastered by Sterling Sound in New York City, Voyager released their album "I am the reVolution" on 20 September 2009 through Dockyard 1 Records in Germany and Riot Entertainment in Australia. The album was immediately received with critical acclaim, including the popular Vampster website, although some critics were skeptical about the band's strong melodic influences and their "pop" sound. The album was named album of the week in Romania's MetalFan website and the song "Total Existence Failure" picked up the Song of the Year from the West Australian Music Industry Awards. Voyager released a new video for the song "The Devil in Me" in October 2009.

In 2010, Voyager was nominated three times as a Top 10 Finalist in the Australian MusicOz Awards for "Lost" "The Devil in Me" and the video for the latter. The band also picked up a nomination for 2010 WAMI "Best hard rock/metal act" presented by the West Australian Music Industry. Chris Hanssen and Voyager parted ways in 2010, with Scott Kay taking over guitar duties. Scott's first tour was with Scottish pirate metal band Alestorm in May 2011, during which the band received critical acclaim.

The Meaning Of I (2011-2013)

After recording new songs in April/May 2011, Voyager signed a deal with New Jersey-based label Sensory. In October 2011 the band released "The Meaning of I". The album is the first to feature new guitarist Scott Kay and the last to feature Mark Boeijen on drums who left shortly after the recording to focus on his family. The album features guest vocal performances by DC Cooper (Royal Hunt) and Daniel Tompkins (Tesseract, ex-Skyharbor). It was released worldwide on 11 October 2011, but was released early in the USA at the ProgPower festival in September 2011.

Voyager were also announced for a show with Creation's End in Brooklyn on 11 September 2011. After returning from the USA, Voyager toured with popular Finnish metal band Children of Bodom.

Voyager was one of the opening bands for Epica when they played in Perth on 23 April 2013.

V (2013- )

At the end of 2013, Voyager unveiled a crowd funding campaign for their latest album "V" and unveiled clips of pre-production recordings of new songs. The campaign's goal was reached within 3 days of its launch. "Breaking Down" was the first single from the album.

In 2015, Voyager will tour nationally in May, supported by French progressive rock band Klone. They will return to North America in September for the US ProgPower event and a national tour.

Style

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. Voyager has also become what is believed to be the first heavy metal band to use a melodica live and in the studio.

Endorsements

The following members of Voyager currently have instrument endorsements:

Danny - KORG/Musiclink Australia, DSL straps

Simone - Mesa Boogie, Music Man Guitars

Alex - David Eden amps, Mayones Bass guitars

Ashley Doodkorte - Tama drums, Sabian Cymbals

Studio Albums

Singles

Videos