Inner Odyssey – The Void
And then it happens. You find that band that you have been searching to find, for 2020 to be memorable. Inner Odyssey, a perfect name to conjure that Dream Theater sound that you miss. But, this band may actually be better than the present day Dream Theater.
Yes, The Void, is a wonderful album, that after previewing a few tracks on-line, demonstrates to the listener, that this is no average band. The band was founded in 2007 in Quebec City, Canada, by guitarist, and vocalist, Vincent Leboeuf Gadreau. The bands is made up of Mathieu Cossette, on keyboards and vocals; Etienne Doyon, on lead vocals, percussion and keyboards; Alex Rancourt, on bass and vocals; and Cedric LePage, on drums.
The Void, released March 1, 2020, is Inner Odyssey’s third album, following: Have a Seat, released in November of 2011, and Ascension, released in June of 2015. Recording was completed by Antoine Baril. Mixing and mastering was completed by David Lizotte. The artwork was created by Keven Stapleton.
“Overhanging”, opens with soft keys that lull you into a sense of tranquility. Then, the power builds as electric guitar, bass, and then pounding drums are added to the soundscape. Then, Etienne Doyon’s first vocals, “Feels like I’m still flying. Above this wicked world. Feels like I’m still dreaming. My mind is going numb. Feels like I’m still fighting. Something deep inside. Feels like I’m still drifting. Far beyond the haze of time. Far beyond the reach of mind. There’s a place where I can find. A mean to ease this inner fight”. And there you have it. The definition of this band and their destiny. Doyon’s vocals are similar to, a younger, fellow Canadian, James LaBrie. This song is the perfect, well yeh, inner odyssey, a relaxing exploration of calmness. A wonderful soft beginning for headphones…but beware…we are about to rock…
“The Reckoning”, crashes upon you like waves on the shore. This band is serious about making music and they are prepared to demonstrate it to the world. Powerful bass, crashing drums and cymbals, and that unmistakable DT, organ and lead electric guitar run. Doyon sings, “It doesn’t affect me. You can choke on your guilt. I can easily live without. The « us » that we’ve built. It caught me off guard though. The way you waved your flag. A white flag, cold and cruel. Symbol of my demise”. A break-up song similar to some of La Brie’s classics from earlier days of DT, maybe similar to “Lie”. Then, light acoustic guitar, as the protagonist settles into a solo ride, Doyon sings, “And now I’m on my own. I’m drifting afar. Deep into the void. To a place that I call Home”. Reaching out once again, he sings, “I won’t stand and witness. Your reckoning. I won’t stand and watch you. Rise above me”.
And now, a safe place to hide, “Into the Void”. Cool keys and atmospherics design a safe place of dreaming and unconsciousness. Enabling Doyon to deliver the following, “Into the void. There’s no one here to play. The game is over. The lobby’s been deserted for days. Into the void. Now I’ve got time to think. I’ve reached the end. My reward center is shutting down”. The band sings the chorus, “Into the void”. Soft electric guitar with accompanying soft drums beats. Doyon sings, “Into the void. These rare moments of clarity. They tend to vanish. As swiftly as they appear”. The acoustic guitar, bass, drums, and awesome Rudess-like keyboards, that take off, yes they are amazing.
Soft keys open, “Don’t Walk Away”, Doyon sings, “Eager to fall asleep and turn off the light. On reality with comforting lies. And drift away, Where I can’t hear those inner cries”, with soft acoustic guitar and spacey keyboards to sooth. Then, another powerful moment on the album, Doyon sings, ”Don’t walk away from me.
You’re all that stands between me and the void of my dreams. Please don’t walk away from me. In this crucial time of need”.
“I’m Fine”, is a fantastic song that really brings out the LaBrie similarities from Doyon’s voice. The song opens with some of the most powerful bass chords I’ve heard since Chris Squire walked the Earth. The protagonist engages his mind deep within a video game.
But all games must end. “Endgame”, starts comically with funny keyboards, before blasting drums, bass, and electric lead guitars take over. The keys are there, faithfully bringing the larger–than-life atmospherics we desire. The lyrics take me back to some of Arjen Lucassen’s earlier video game-play moments. Doyon sings, “Welcome to the title screen. Now pick your new identity. You can be a Warrior, a Rogue, even a Mage! You should like it here”.
Then like Ethan Hawke’s character, Jolly the Pimp, in the movie Valerian; the protagonist is egged on to enjoy the game, “But what’s the point in playing the game? If you cannot even pull your own strings? To get better, faster, stronger. To go farther, higher, deeper. Can’t afford to go under. These high-performance standards”.
“Nemesis”, is the second longest track on the album. It is full of powerful punching drums, heavy lead electric guitars and excellent organ and synths. The bass anchors the deep power of this instrumental extravaganza meant to unleash the furry of this band. Gaming sound effects add elements of wonder. The band needed this powerful statement of instrumental rectitude.
“Continue Without Saving”, opens like The Ecstasy of Gold, Ennio Morricone’s masterpiece, from The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly film. Only this time with electric guitar and soft chimes. Beautiful calm, before the thrust of the closer.
“The Great Collapse”, comes at you full steam ahead. Doyon sings, “It feels like I’m coming home. It feels like I’ve been here before. It feels so weird and yet so comforting. It feels like I’m home again”. The keyboard work is remarkable as Mathieu Cossette unloads all of the tricks from his bag. Amazing! Doyon sings, “Let it ease your pain. Lie down and relax. Leave it all behind. Let go off the past”. Then, the concluding lines, “It’s seems like I will never know what it is.
To feel truly alive. Since I’m kept anesthetized. I might as well go and dive…Deeper into self-denial. Bury my mind for good this time”.
This is already one of my favorite albums and bands of 2020. I have listened to parts of their first two albums, but plan on requesting those two for future reviews. I think I have finally found a new contender to replace some of the other bands that have lost their way, near the top of my list of favorites. This is absolutely what the doctor ordered. Plenty of hot, fast paced metal with a progressive sound.
Please give this band a chance and listen to this album. I think, like me, you will want to dive deeper into their short discography, before it becomes prolific.
Track List
- Overhanging – 5:48
- The Reckoning – 5:47
- Into the Void – 6:06
- Don’t Walk Away – 4:13
- I’m Fine – 3:07
- Endgame – 6:50
- Nemesis – 7:22
- Continue Without Saving – 1:26
- The Great Collapse – 7:36
https://innerodyssey.bandcamp.com/album/the-void
https://www.instagram.com/inner_odyssey/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgJ9c9WRqmGGRAvQVFYoTmg