Voyager
Voyager | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Perth, WA |
| Genres | Progressive metal |
| Years active | 1999 - present |
| Labels | Dockyard 1 |
| Associated acts | Nachthimmel, Psychonaut, Scourge, Noctis, Vespers Descent, Sámain, Pathogen, Black Steel, Inter Alia |
| Website | http://www.voyager-australia.com |
| Members | Alex Canion, Ashley Doodkorte, Daniel Estrin, Simone Dow, Scott Kay |
| Past members | Mark Baker, Mark Boeijen, Geoff Callaghan, Mark De Vattimo, Melissa Fiocco, Jeanna Greaig, Chris Hanssen, Adam Lovkis, Emanual Rudnicki |
Band members
- Current Line-up
- Alex Canion (bass)
- Ashley Doodkorte (drums)
- Daniel Estrin (vocals, keys)
- Simone Dow (guitar)
- Scott Kay (guitar)
- Former members
- Mark Boeijen (drums) (2006 - 2011)
- Chris Hanssen (guitar) (2009 - 2010)
- Mark De Vattimo (guitar) (1999 - 2008)
- Melissa Fiocco (bass) (2003 - 2007)
- Geoff Callaghan (drums) (2000 - 2006)
- Emanuel Rudnicki (guitar) (2000 - 2006)
- Jenna Greaig (bass) (2001 - 2003)
- Mark Baker (keys) (1999 - 2000)
- Adam Lovkis (drums) (1999 - 2000)
Website
Formed
Perth, WA, 1999
Band information
Voyager plays symphonic progressive metal. The band was formed in Perth around Nachthimmel's Estrin, who was playing guitar at the time, and Lovkis. De Vattimo from Psychonaut joined shortly after and when Baker left Estrin switched to keyboards. The band split for a few months in 2000 when Estrin went to Europe and Lovkis quit. In early 2001 the line-up consolidated with Callaghan and Greaig. Rudnicki joined Black Steel in early 2002 but left after only a few months and rejoined Voyager.
In 2003 the band recorded and released the Element V album before Greaig was replaced by Fiocco. Then late in 2005, Rudnicki and Callaghan were both fired from the band. Ex-Scourge guitarist Simone Dow and Vespers Descent/ex-Pathogen and Sámain drummer Mark Boeijen subsequently joined Voyager in late 2005. The band toured Europe in 2006 and were booked to support Nevermore in Perth on their return however that show was cancelled, as was a subsequent support slot with Yngwie Malmsteen.
The band completed and released the uniVers album through German label Dockyard 1 during 2007 and Canion from Psychonaut replaced Fiocco ahead of its release. The band made the Top 10 in the Metal/Hardcore Category of the 2007 Musicoz Awards and toured to Sydney and Melbourne in November 2007. uniVers came in at #7 metal release for 2007 on the Full Metal Racket listener's poll.
Mark De Vattimo decided to leave Voyager in June 2008. In December he was replaced by 17-year old Chris Hanssen. The band's third album I Am the ReVolution was released in August 2009. The album received strong reviews upon release and clips were made for the songs "The Devil in Me" and "Lost". During 2010, Scott Kay replaced Hanssen and Voyager supported Soilwork' in Perth. During May 2011 Voyager supported Alestorm nationally and began work on another album. They were added to the line-up of Prog Power US 2011, the first time an Australian band had made the bill. Following the completion of The Meaning of I, Boeijen departed the band.
Voyager toured the US and Canada with Rhapsody of Fire in May 2012 and appeared at several festival dates including Bastardfest upon returning to Australia. 2013 was a quieter year for the band but in October they opened for The Devin Townsend Project in Perth. An Australian tour with Orphaned Land is set for April 2014.
Discography
Albums:
| 2003 | Element V | self release | |
| 2007 | uniVers | Dockyard 1 | |
| 2009 | I am the ReVolution | Dockyard 1 | |
| 2011 | The Meaning of I | Riot! |
Single:
| 2006 | Sober | self release |