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March 2025

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Traveler: Termination Shock

Traditional Heavy/Speed Metal

4.5/5.0

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Gates Of Hell Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 22.04.2020 | Released: 24.04.2020

Started by guitarist Matt Ries (Gatekrashör and Hrom), Calagry's Traveler hit the ground running with their self-titled debut album in 2019. The band, largely made up of friends in the Calgary metal scene, would quickly hit the road banging heads across Canada, the United States, and Europe, with their traditional heavy metal. Now the quintet returns with their second studio effort, Termination Shock.

Traveler

Traditional heavy metal doesn't quite define the Traveler sound. You need to add at least one important element: speed. Traveler easily blurs the line between classic steady metal and speed metal. Needless to say, speed metal requires an ambitious and rabid rhythm section, and drummer Chad Valier and bassist David Arnold are up to the task, delivering potent gallop and groove. The next important element are the guitar lines. The twin guitar harmony is self-evident, but the riffs must as quick and brisk as the rhythm section and, of course, the solos must be furious. And so, Matt Reis and Toryin Schadlich offer a fret full of whoop ass.

So then go the songs, where most begin with bold drums and strong riffs, then gallop kicks in, and we're off to the races. You'll hear this with Shaded Mirror, Foreverman, and Terra Exodus. But hold on tightly and don't let go, STK and especially Deepspace explode the bullet train metaphor with their assertive, nitro-fueled speed. Alternatively, just to mess with your head, Traveler interrupts the gallop with the acoustic, and softer, start to After The Future. But have no fear, at the two minute mark, the fast and heavy metal returns to rush to a twin guitar solo finish. Always remember, beware of the song that starts slow. All said, with Termination Shock, Canada's Traveler delivers another solid and speedy album of their twin guitar driven galloping heavy metal. Easily recommended.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

All said, with Termination Shock, Canada's Traveler delivers another solid and speedy album of their twin guitar driven galloping heavy metal. Easily recommended.

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Here's a fun fact about Swiss legends, Gotthard: their last 16 releases, excepting their debut album, went to number one in their home country, making them one of Switzerland's most successful acts and ... [ Read More ]