One Listen Review
1st Listen 8 Apr 26
Reviewed 11 Apr 26
Voidchaser – Interstellar I
Self Released
Released 9 Apr 26
The opening bars to Interstellar I by Montreal/Stockholm outfit Voidchaser immediately brought 80’s sci-fi show, ‘Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’ to mind. It then develops into a Devin Townsend style riff and spoken word. To be more specific, it is Ziltoid the Omniscient you will be reminded of if, like me, you are a Hevy Devy fan.
There begins an 8 track, 48 ½ minute progressive opus that fires in every idea you can think of. First track proper is ‘Welcome to Terra Corp’, with its head-nodding riff and powerful drums, it has a great deal of Hevy Devy charm about it that is somewhat reassuring. It is followed by ‘Initiation Day’, that continues the powerful start to the album. Indeed, the ideas are on show in this song as it combines heaviness with progressive melody. Towards the end of the song, there is a switch as the track flips into a lounge-bar style outro. If this sounds a bit daft, listen to it, it is excellent.
The aggressive nature of ‘Hyperconverter’ is welcome. The riff is deep and threatening, and the dirty/clean vocal combinations work like a charm and once again,
Voidchaser absolutely nail the outro. But the overall charm of the album is starting to fade.
There is no hiding from the Devin Townsend influence. It permeates throughout the album and so, despite their attempts to create their own vibe, tracks such as ‘Anything for Love’, a soppy almost ballad like effort, miss the mark. Even with a riff reminiscent of Swedish melodeath outfit, Omnium Gatherum, cannot lift you from the malaise. It is a disappointing song.
Interstellar I then begins to fade away. Nothing really makes your ears prick up and listen and the remaining songs ease along. This is a progressive metal album, dominated by the lyrical storyline, with the music in a supporting role. However, sometimes the music needs to stand-up and be counted. Early tracks did this, but Voidchaser lost their way and I lost my interest.
With an interesting concept, and perhaps more than 1 listen is required to appreciate it, Interstellar I does have the potential to grow. Alas, if I wanted to listen to progressive sci-fi, I’d put on Ziltoid ahead of this.
The DevilsHorns 
Leave a comment