How come the list of Canadian metal acts invariably looks the same as it did 30+ years ago? Must be pretty disheartening for bands like Traveler, who weren't even born when most of those groups were active/relevant. While not new, here's another name to throw into the ring, of young, high quality Canuck metalheads bigger overseas than in North America. Alongside (in no particular order) the likes of Striker, Skullfist, Iron Kingdom and Riot City (bands with which some of the current members are/were affiliated), this Calgary based quintet are seeking to break out, get noticed and kick ass! They were doing that, throughout Europe, before Covid-19 cut the tour short.

This is actually the second full-length (although last year's debut included a trio of previous released songs) "Shaded Mirror" jumps from the speakers, the twin guitars dueling even before the initial vocal. Some have called their approach speed metal (a term the band aren't that comfortable with), but make no mistake, there are few lulls within the eight heads down, hair shakers. It's quick pickers like the title track that earn them the "speed" tag. "Foreverman", a bit of sing-able 80s (non-hair) metal sees Jean-Pierre Abboud go for the upper register. Sounding like the Sunset Strip, before the vasectomies!
Apart from the spirited guitar workout, a galloping, mid-tempo "Diary Of A Maiden" recalls the early works of Jag Panzer. Concluding "Terra Exodus" is in a similar vein, especially certain phrasing by piercing vocalist Abboud (also singer in Gatekeeper), with more than a hint of Harry "The Tyrant" Conklin. High (pun intended) praise! Didn't know Maple Leaf Metal still has a Can-Con requirement (I jest!) but "STK" was co-written by Death Dealer's bassist Jean-Pierre Fortin. Jangly guitar and the strain of normal voices introduce the otherwise restrained "After the Future". Balls-out "Deepspace" is another example of precision racing (up and down the fretboard), making it difficult avoiding speeding tickets or downplay said sub-genre.
Might seem counter-intuitive, given the get-up-and-move nature of the music, but sit a while (like you have any choice, under the current global climate) with Traveler. An enjoyable journey!