Canadian metal band Traveler released their self-titled, debut album through Gates of Hell Records on 22nd February. The band initially started as a side project for guitarist Matt Ries and they first came to my notice last summer when they did a split-release demo with Finnish band Coronary. The success of that and an earlier demo led to the recording of a full length album. The track “Behind The Iron” was included on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 22nd February.


 

Traveler was formed by Matt Ries, the guitarist from the bands Gatekrashör and Hrom, in 2017. A three track demo was released in early 2018 and the same three tracks featured on a July release with Finnish band Coronary. Those three tracks are included on the new album along with five new tracks.

 

Traveler are singer Jean-Pierre Abboud, guitarists Matt Ries and Toryin ‘Junior’ Schadlich, bass player Dave Arnold and drummer Chad Vallier. All had played previously in other bands around Calgary.


Check out the band’s Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/travelerheavymetal/


About “NI Rocks Recommends”

The simple idea behind “NI Rocks Recommends” is to acknowledge and promote some of the great music being submitted to Rock Radio NI. The albums that I’ll be recommending are those that you’ll hear me playing tracks from on my shows. I'll not be giving marks or ratings or analyzing the tracks in great detail; just telling you something about the artist and the album. It’s a personal recommendation to go check something out, not a traditional “review”!