Band:	Voyager
Album:	Ghost Mile
Style:	Symphonic progressive metal
Release date:	May 2017

01. Ascension
02. Misery Is Only Company
03. Lifeline
04. The Fragile Serene
05. To The Riverside
06. Ghost Mile
07. What A Wonderful Day
08. Disconnected
09. This Gentle Earth (1981)
10. As The City Takes The Night

It's been really fun watching Voyager grow over the last few years. Ghost Mile is by far their most mature album to date and expands upon many of the successful aspects from V. The songwriting here is incredible throughout the album and each song feels like it deserves to have a place on the record. Unlike previous albums, there aren't any true filler songs apart from "To The Riverside", which to me feels more like an interlude. Their music has evolved from being a hit-or-miss power prog band to creating a more consistent atmospheric prog that surprisingly doesn't lose any of its heaviness!

My favorite thing about Voyager is how they're able to craft this seemingly impossible mix of relaxing atmospheric music with heavy guitar riffing and speed. It sounds like it shouldn't work and yet when you hear tracks like "Ascension" you get blown away by just how unique it sounds. This whole concept is taken to the next level by the creative track listing, which keeps the album flowing well when listened to from start to finish. Some tracks feel specifically placed to create a sort of mood for the album, my favorite of these tracks being "This Gentle Earth" with its beautiful piano melody and lyrics that create a chilling atmospheric tone. This song paints the picture for the epic finale on the album, which builds onto the piano to create another masterpiece.

Lyrically, Ghost Mile feels much less cheesy than they have felt in the past. Many of the songs tell their own unique stories and put you into a realm of their own. On a rough day at work, I really enjoy listening to both "Misery Is Only Company" and "What A Wonderful Day," as they both seem to lift my mood instantly. Other songs are not so forward with their meanings and leave you contemplating your own. "Disconnected" is likely my favorite song lyrically as it does an amazing job of combining their lyrics with the guitar work. Towards the end of the track, you really feel like you're being "Disconnected" as they include this creative syncopated breakdown that just feels so satisfying to hear.

Ghost Mile is the most complete and mature record Voyager has ever released. If you're a fan of any of their past work, I highly recommend giving this one a listen!

Highlights: Ascension, Misery Is Only Company, What A Wonderful Day, The Fragile Serene