Even amongst a thriving but crowded Tech / Progressive Metal scene, Northampton (UK)’s Voices From The Fuselage have the potential and the quality to stand out. With a label re-release in 2016 and the presence of former TesseracT vocalist Ashe O’Hara at the forefront, their previous album Odyssey: Destroyer Of Worlds provided a benchmark album for UK Progressive Metal with a rich and layered sound combined with towering melodies and near pop sensibilities, showing them to have real crossover appeal.
It is upon these huge foundations that their latest album Odyssey: The Founder Of Dreams (both White Star Records) builds upon, being a continuation both sonically and thematically whilst showcasing a heightened confidence and an overt widening of the spectrum of their sound. What is most striking about Voices From The Fuselage is the degree of emotion their songs convey, a quality that plenty of their contemporaries struggle with.
The biggest weapon in their arsenal is O’Hara’s vocals as he is able to transition from poignant fragility to powerful delivery with seamless ease. Whether it being the gradual emergence through album opener ‘Via’ from soft harmonies to more grandiose territory, he is further assured unleashing the more confrontational bark of the heavier, Djent tinged ‘Vestibule Of Hell’, showing a versatility that should rank him as one of Metal and Prog’s best contemporary vocalists. Lyrically, this album shares and continues the content of its predecessor detailing the conflict of Faith vs Science, touching upon the struggles of intellectual doubt and enlightenment in a truly touching fashion throughout.
The rest of the band showcase a diversity and technicality in their sound which separates them from simple Tech Metal categorisation. The likes of ‘Life On Titan’, ‘Nine Levels’ and ‘Vault Of Heaven’ offer as much Ambient and post-Rock influence as they do melodic Metal, whilst ‘Destitute’ is filled with bombast with huge string passages in its metallic formula. The production of White Star Records/Kino/Lonely Robot etc honcho John Mitchell makes a clear impact with a warmer tone throughout.
Voices From The Fuselage definitely have some Tech Metal elements to their sound, but in reality offer so much more and really should be a band on the cusp of bigger things. A wealth and depth in both sound and themes that should appeal to the Progressive Rock minded with enough catchiness and immediacy combined with both crunch and delicateness to be a shining light in a crowded scene. One of the UK’s true hidden gems.
8.5/10
CHRIS TIPPELL