Detroit, Michigan’s prog/synth warriors Voyag3r return on April 26th with their follow-up to 2016s excellent Are You Synthetic? War Mask sees the trio of Steve Greene(synthesizers, piano, saxophone), Greg Mastin(drums and percussion), and Aaron Greene(guitars) heading from sci fi territory to a post-apocalyptic landscape, and from the sound of lead single “The Terror Is Gaining On You”, the guys are taking things into much darker territory.
Voyag3r have always tipped their hat to masters like John Carpenter and Goblin, and on “The Terror Is Gaining On You” those influences shine through brilliantly. There’s also hints of Fred Myrow & Malcolm Seagrave’s essential Phantasm score, as well as more progressive works from Rush and King Crimson(hey, there’s a cover of Crimson’s “Red” on War Mask, too!) There’s an urgency in the track; a great back and forth between Aaron Greene’s guitar riffs and the vintage dread of Steve Greene’s analog synths, all coming together beautifully with the steady pulse of Greg Mastin’s perfect timing.
There’s always a great balance between the horror score world and more progressive rock tendencies with Voyag3r, and it sounds like War Mask continues their epic music journey that began with Victory In The Battle Chamber. These Detroit rockers seem to have gone all out this time.
War Mask arrives on April 26th, 2019. You can preorder the digital version here. Bellyache Records will be releasing two limited edition color vinyl options, which you can preorder here. You dig CDs and cassettes? Battle Chamber will be offering limited edition CD and cassette versions, as well as War Mask t-shirts. Check it out here.
Give “The Terror Is Gaining On You” a listen below, and check out the in-studio interview with Voyag3r below discussing the making of War Mask.
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