Voyager, Dyssidia @UniBar, Adelaide 16/6/2023
The lights reflect on the golden images of five returning heroes from their conquests overseas. The crowd applauds, cheers and honours the quintet through the ambience of music, laughter and keytar solos. Yes, this is Voyager and they are executing their craft to a sold out Adelaide crowd.
Opening for our Eurovision heroes are Dyssidia, one of the countries finest Prog Metal experts.
They come on in a storm of drums and guitars that is Hopes Remorseful Retreat before dropping to smooth sounds and exploding again.
To watch Dyssidia is to be brought onto a masterful journey of storytelling through Corey’s epic solos, Mitch’s wide and perfected vocal range with contorting body movements and a rhythm section that seamlessly switches time changes and moods.
Metamorphosis pummels with a riff that pulls you into hell while the duelling guitar and bass parts in Bloodrush a particular highlight as the packed out crowd bob their heads along in appreciation of the technical brilliance in front of them.
The night though is the coronation of Australia’s mightiest Eurovision contestants Voyager.
Dressed head to toe in matching gold sequin outfits (except the drummer – it’s always the drummer – he’s in blue sequins) that reflect the impressive light show behind them, Voyager stand imperious before their crowd.
Opening with Hyperventilating, the slow build up and light show tease the anticipation and then boom! The band are in.
At this point I must confess, having seen Voyager many years ago, I wasn’t sold before tonight however as second track Misery Is Only Company was performed – to an audience clapping along and a band that hit every headbanging downbeat with full passion – I was caught hook line and sinker.
Combining dance sounds with crushing riffs, pristine vocals and a frontman in Danny Estrin, who engages the crowd like a best friend intent on having a good time, Voyager are the most fun I’ve had at a show in a long time.
Whether it’s the self deprecating humour about their Eurovision journey, snippets of Smoke On The Water and Wonderwall, forgetting to change the batteries in the keytar, everything about the band is enjoyable.
The audience clap in turn with Ashley Doodkorte’s tribal drum rhythms in Momentary Relapse Of Pain, they bounce and dance during Dreamer and sing the melody on Promise.
The bands music for their part is soft and serene when needed and crushing when hammered down. The harmonies and interplay is a sight to behold. The banter between the band members and crowd is heartwarming and entertaining.
Runaway, Submarine and Ascension are theatrically performed with Estrin holding one of the stage lights. This call to arms is for everyone present to enjoy themselves in what is becoming as much a visual masterpiece as a sonic one.
Finishing with more self deprecating humour of their own song White Shadow, the room is hot, the audience ecstatic and rapturous and the band without equal.
I was sceptical before tonight however I can admit that Voyager absolutely blew me away like very few bands have done before. Their stage presence, humour, the connection with the audience and, of course, the musical performance was everything you could ever want in a show. An amazing night.
Live Review By Iain McCallum