Review Summary: Prog Trek: The Voyager
The debut from the Athens based prog metal outfit. This type of prog is not as popular as once upon a time, yet still remains active for those who dare carry the torch. To do so comes with expectations - mainly wizard instrument skills - and Ocean’s Edge do not disappoint. Symphony X, Dream Theater, and Redemption come to mind when hearing their music. The Symphony X influence is the most audible, with songs in a constant state of change, and filled with dazzling solos. The band are less verse-chorus than is normal, and this gives them their unique edge (pardon the joke).
There’s nary a moment for being settled. The final track has a solid melodic moment in its chorus, but otherwise, the melodies in the album are obscured in a never-ending storm of wiggly guitars. Once the band launch off they’re lost in their progressive winds, refusing to land back on ground. Another problem arises with the lead singer; though solid, his vocal style is so similar to Nils from Pagan’s Mind that his mediocre range leaves much to be desired. There were also moments where the singing was rough, and could’ve used more time in the cooker (editing). On the other hand, his singing style seems very old school indeed, giving the album a bit of charm. His vocals are somewhat of an acquired taste.
The Voyager is a rough, but instrumentally impressive debut with a host of ultra cool, extra proggy moments. While the album may not be sing-along ready, the songwriting is interestingly organic, with wonky rhythms that sound natural. True prog lovers will enjoy these songs with endless sections and transitions, and keep flipping the pages. There is much to accomplish in order to be deemed a prog giant, but the fact this album exists in 2023 is good enough. This type of prog metal is slowly becoming a lost art, but there will always be a band like Ocean’s Edge unafraid to explore the past. It’s refreshing, and their effort deserves an audience. While The Voyager is no prog classic, the band’s chops may enable that feature in the future.
