Tag: MATT RIES

TRAVELER Hits Studio; New Album Due In 2020

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Upstart Canadian metallers TRAVELER are currently recording their second full-length album, due in March 2020 via Gates Of Hell Records. The band’s 2019 self-titled debut was released to critical acclaim, with Toilet Ov Hell hailing it as a “starbreaking smash” and Metal Observer calling it a “strong contender for album of the year.”

“It’s been an amazing year,” says guitarist, founding member and primary songwriter Matt Ries. “It has exceeded our expectations way beyond what we thought, and is a really good introduction to what’s to come! Playing Western Canada, to Chicago, all the way to Germany, it’s been a great learning experience on how to improve our shows. It’s been an amazing ride. We can’t wait to keep this train rollin’.”

According to Ries, TRAVELER’s new album is “nearly completely written,” with the band needing to tighten up a few things while they continue to track drums. Like their self-titled album, Jan Loncick will be manning the production board. “We will be doing this similar to what we did last time, except we’ll be stepping up the production just a little more,” says Ries. “No triggers, though. Never triggers. But Jan knows what we want and how to deliver the goods. We’ve always had great chemistry with him so why fix what ain’t broke?

 

“The songs are more in the same vein, but with more dynamics to the structures,” he continues. “There are some blazing fast songs and some slower, feely-tunes, and some right in the middle. There’s more to work with this time around.”

Ries and TRAVELER have more to work with largely because the band had some leftover songs from the self-titled album. Furthermore, there has been additional input from vocalist Jean-Pierre Abboud, who has taken over most of the lyrical duties, and bassist Dave Arnold, who has contributed a song from his previous band, STRIKER.

“Also, our new friend JP Fortin of DEAF DEALER has gifted us a song of his that never made it to a DEAF DEALER album,” notes Ries. “It’s an absolute honor to do this for him. So, with the two songs I didn’t write, it alleviated some pressure to take on all the writing again. It’s a way different approach this time around with JP and Dave’s help. I still don’t know how most of these will sound when it’s complete, which is a little nerve-racking, but exciting at the same time.”

 

Ries says TRAVELER is almost done booking their 2020 “Warriors Of The North” European tour. The band will also be playing the “Hell’s Heroes” festival in Texas later in 2020. Coupled with the new album, some new art and merch and 2020 is looking bright for TRAVELER. “It’s going to be a banger,” says Ries. “We’re stoked to see everyone there. Thank you all for the support!”

TRAVELER To Release Self-Titled First Full-Length In February

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Fresh off their split with Finland’s CORONARY, Canada’s TRAVELER will release their self-titled first full-length on February 22 via Gates Of Hell Records. Recorded at three different studios throughout 2018, “Traveler” will feature eight songs of up-tempo, classic metal, right up the alley for fans of vintage JUDAS PRIEST, MANILLA ROAD and RIOT.

According to guitarist and founding member Matt Ries, “Traveler” will certainly appeal to fans of their debut demo and split with CORONARY. The three songs from their demo have been re-recorded and given new life thanks to TRAVELER’s now-complete lineup, a first for the band. “To have this become a reality is amazing,” he says. “I’ve learned a lot about who you jam with and not settling for anything less than the best. I’ve also learned how much work comes behind taking the reins on everything, but it’s all worth it.”

TRAVELER, who are now rounded out by vocalist Jean-Pierre Abboud (also of GATEKEEPER), second guitarist Toryin “Junior” Schadlich, bassist Dave Arnold and drummer Chad Vallier, tracked drums at AB Records, guitars at Ries’s home studio and vocals at Richhobo Studios. In all, their self-titled album shows just how far TRAVELER has come in the span of a year, with the re-recorded songs from the demo blending seamlessly with the band’s new compositions.

“The newest songs all vary differently from each other,” says Ries. “We feel this will make for a really interesting album. But, of course, the album has no shortage of dueling guitars and powerful vocals. And, after hearing the vocals laid out for the first time over these songs, I can safely say they all pound just as hard! The lyrical themes are mixed with real life experiences and total exaggerated scenarios. Ripping leads and harmonized guitars. Driving bass lines. Everything I love to hear when I throw on a record. So, if we share the same taste, you’ll be raising your fist.”

TRAVELER, who originally started as an outlet for ideas that weren’t suitable for Ries’s other bands GATEKRASHÖR and HROM, has enjoyed a year that has gone far beyond the guitarist’s expectations. Starting with the positive feedback from their split with CORONARY to the writing and creation of “Traveler”, TRAVELER has capably handled the whirlwind that was 2018 and now has their eye toward 2019.

“This year has been a really exciting experience,” says Ries. “It’s also been extremely challenging getting everything together. Our love for the music has kept us on the right track. However, the feedback from everyone has lit a fire under our asses to make the best possible record. I didn’t expect to be working under such a great label so soon. Again, all of this has been nothing but motivation to keep moving. Now that we are wrapping up the year, we are focused on making a great live show for everyone! We can’t wait to rock the stages for all of you. We have a lot of great plans in the works for shows and future projects. So, the way I see it, we’re just getting started”.

 

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