One of my favorite albums of the current decade is undoubtedly "Voyage" by Tanith, a New York-based band that keeps alive the spirit and essence of 70s and 80s hard rock and heavy metal music like never before.
We are facing the second album of the band in question, released last year (2023), and it is the sequel to the equally excellent debut "In Another Time" from 2019, both recorded under the Metal Blade Records label.
The group's name derives from Tanit, a lunar deity associated with love and fortune, as well as a protective figure of the ancient city of Carthage.
Tanith are: Cindy Maynard (vocals, bass, and keyboards), Russ Tippins (guitar and vocals), and Keith Robinson (drums). Russ Tippins is also the guitarist of Satan, an 80s band belonging to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Another member, guesting as a second guitarist during the recording of "Voyage," is Andee Blacksugar.
Musical references for Tanith include names like Blue Öyster Cult, Thin Lizzy, Wishbone Ash, and, although it may be fairly predictable to mention them, Satan. Musically based on an old-school heavy metal style - played excellently, I would add - Tanith manage to distinguish themselves thanks to the intertwined voices of Cindy and Russ, which bring a slightly more modern color to this now out-of-fashion genre.
The album has a duration of 43 minutes, 9 tracks rich in melody and variety, excellent production - I'd dare to say "80s style" - and lyrics that mainly draw from Greek mythology.
It starts with "Snow Tiger," a track whose theme is about resilience and, musically, characterized by fast rhythmic sections where the absolute ruler is the interplay of the two guitars in the solo phase. Following is a "Falling Wizard" filled with nostalgia, providing the song with a decidedly killer melody. Also noteworthy is "Mother Of Exile," a simple and effective heavy metal song where Cindy showcases her vocal skills. "Seven Moons (Galantia Pt. II)" is the direct sequel to "Citadel (Galantia Pt. I)," a track that appears on the debut "In Another Time." Closing the show is "Never Look Back," where Russ is the protagonist and exploits all his skills both in guitar versatility and vocals. However, there is one particular track within the album that I absolutely recommend listening to, and I am referring to "Olympus By Dawn," where the vocal duets of the Cindy/Russ pair and the rather vintage sound of the drums manage to emanate a dreamy atmosphere.
Anyway, "Voyage" is a very consistent and smooth album, as well as - as I have already reiterated - a nice nod to the hard 'n' heavy music of the 70s and 80s, with a hint of folk and psychedelia here and there that certainly doesn't hurt. The somewhat retro production quality and the type of songwriting play an important role, namely that of trying to offer the listener a mental journey to the dawn of this musical genre.
In conclusion, I would like to admit that usually, the bands suggesting so-called dives into the past do not drive me crazy; however, these Tanith, thanks to their harmonious vocal style that alternates so elegantly between female and male voices with clearly "seventies/eighties heavy rock" sounds, are a yes for me.
So if you appreciate rock legends such as Blue Öyster Cult, Thin Lizzy, and Wishbone Ash, I highly recommend listening to this "Voyage" or even just the track "Olympus By Dawn," which, in my opinion, deserves a lot.
A familiar listen that can hide magical and pleasant surprises.
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