The Canadian quintet returns in fine form with a third album that adds new elements to their winning formula.

Traveler is a band that exploded onto the scene with a fun and infinitely re-listenable self-titled album in 2019 that left a strong impression on the NWOTHM faithful. The band wasted no time putting out a sophomore effort only a year later with Termination Shock, and while it was a solid album, it reminded me of Ozzy Osbourne‘s Diary of a Madman: less consistent than what came before but with much stronger high points in the better tracks. Traveler is also a great live act. I was lucky to have seen them perform with Haunt, Screamer, and Saber on the Allied Forces Tour in 2022 in Sacramento, California. Our kind and benevolent editor, Rob, handed me the task of checking out Traveler‘s third effort and I couldn’t resist the chance to see what they bring to the table this time around. Let’s get to it!

1. Mayday is a very aggressive opening instrumental packed with wild twin guitar antics that takes us to the true opener…

2. Take the Wheel wastes no time in letting you know that after four years, Traveler has returned! The slick guitar work, soaring, melodic vocals, and full-speed rhythm section are all back and better than ever. It’s a familiar zone but the exuberance of the band keeps things fresh. This is a strong start.

3. Dark Skull keeps up the momentum with a descending riff and really highlights how special JP Abboud‘s vocals really are. He is able to reach incredible ranges while deftly switching between clean and gritty delivery at the drop of a hat. The galloping guitars are icing on the cake here.

4. The Law starts off blazing and does not let up! The band starts to mix things up here to give the album some welcome variety. They play around with the pace, the guitar solos, and even unique vocal delivery. The mile-a-minute lines hearken back to the most metallic age of Judas Priest at their ’80s peak. This is an album highlight that I can see becoming a live favorite.

5. Rebels of Earth sets the stage with some sinister electronic noise and ominous spoken words that give way to a nice mid-tempo stomper of a track. The melodic riffing echoes the desolation of a post-apocalyptic science fiction tale for the ages. This is Traveler taking a chance, venturing into new territory and being rewarded. Everything in this song hits just right and I am confident in saying this is one of the band’s best songs. It’s my favorite of the album.

6. Heavy Hearts is the lead single off the album and the start to its second half. The song is a little more subdued than the rest of the tracks but still works as an effective distillation of what the band is now as well as where they are wanting to take their sound. It’s a solid song and it works effectively as the sample plate of what the album has to offer. This is a fun way to lead off “Side B.”

7. No Fate calls back to the band’s previous albums and the sound that put them on the map: fast retro-riffing, soaring full-bore vocals, and heroic guitar playing that come together to create that specific feeling many are drawn to in the true metal underground. If I was asked to provide one track that gives people an idea of who Traveler is and what they stand for, this is one of the tracks I would point to.

8. Vagrants of Time is a more straightforward song and unfortunately that means it is against tough competition when compared to the rest of the tracks on this album. It maintains the vibe and atmosphere but the lyrics are a little too wordy, creating an uneven pace. I just couldn’t connect with this one like I did the others.

9. Prequel to Madness starts off with a swirling vortex of twin lead guitar wizardry giving way to speedtastic riffing. If you’re a fan of Walls of Jericho-era Helloween, this will be a nice treat for you and your fellow pumpkinheads. At more than seven minutes in length, this is Traveler‘s longest track yet, and the band makes the most of it. Every element is given ample time to breathe and create the big closer this album deserves. The swirling vortex of guitar returns before fading out to some closing acoustic notes that take us home.

Wrapping Up:

Traveler had no problem wearing their inspirations and hearts on their sleeves on the tracks contained in their first two records. With Prequel to Madness they are even more strongly forging their own path forward in the NWOTHM movement and the true underground scene. Four years is a long time to make anyone wait but unlike watching the Olympics, a new Traveler album is actually worth your patience. Their first two albums struck me in a very strong way and the wait for this followup certainly made my heart grow fonder. It actually made it more difficult for me to sit down and review this album properly. I was so afraid of this record not living up to the lofty expectations and metal fantasy I had created in my head. Thankfully that turned out to be nothing more than an anxious worry as the album delivers on its promise. This is a great record and I can’t give it anything less than a very high recommendation to anyone even mildly interested in this genre.

THENWOTHM SCORE: 9/10