German metalcore band Traveller colors and expands their signature metal/hardcore aggressive soundscapes with new melodically abrasive single, "Burdens."
German metalcore band Traveller has always found a way to evolve their massive cinematic soundscapes since they formed in 2016. Since their last EP release, Distance Calls, the band has taken the time to really think about their distinct and atmospheric presence and have manifested their new single, "Burdens," part of their new upcoming album release debuting in 2023.
"Burdens" specifically also has a cathartic element to it for us – we explored the issues of broken and betrayed trust, as well as the journey to overcome, accept and ultimately move on from it. This is something that runs through the complete journey of Traveller, which is why we picked “Burdens” to be the first release. We are using this track to say “Hello. We’re back.” It just felt good for us.
With expansive progressive melodic metalcore guitar patterns undercut with powerfully dissonant vocal control and dynamically charismatic percussive energy, "Burdens" shows a more focused, compelling, and comfortable direction for the band. A cathartic listening experience that focuses on the themes of broken and betrayed trust and overcoming these inner struggles, Traveller portrays a vitalizing and thoroughly explored version of themselves going into the new year.
Thanks for coming back to INTO THE VOID! I know the last time we spoke, you released your EP Distance Calls in 2021. Now in 2022, you guys are stepping things up with your new single, "Burdens." How would you say the two processes are different?
Thank you for having us again, haha!
Writing the Distance Calls EP and the new material was definitely a completely different approach. We intentionally took a longer break to focus on writing new songs that we are 100% satisfied with, without forcing ourselves to go in a specific direction or to have a particular amount of tracks ready until a deadline. With our new members Nico and Bert, we have a stronger team than ever before, so vocalist Jens and guitarist Jens could use that break to focus more on the songwriting part of the band while the other guys focused on all of the other tasks like visuals or branding that are on the to-do list of an unsigned band. As with every release, we want to make it a little bit bigger and better than the last release, so we did a step up on every aspect: a stronger track, a bigger sounding production, and a huge music video production.
Lyrically, "Burdens" deals with a lot of bottled-up emotions and broken trust and I feel that runs deep throughout that track. What made you guys want to pick this up as your next move lyrically and instrumentally for Traveller?
Honestly, this started from a point of what we as individuals were dealing with at the time – we would brainstorm and pool those thoughts, and then just explore which ones we could best converge on to shape a coherent thread, both for the song itself as well as the upcoming material.
So there was no grand design, rather us – coming together as a new unit – assessing where we currently stand and then going from there.
"Burdens" specifically also has a cathartic element to it for us – we explored the issues of broken and betrayed trust, as well as the journey to overcome, accept and ultimately move on from it. This is something that runs through the complete journey of Traveller, which is why we picked “Burdens” to be the first release. We are using this track to say “Hello. We’re back.” It just felt good for us.
There seems to be a higher level of musicianship and production level tied together with this track even though it's only been a short time since the release of your last EP. What steps did you guys take to really grow into this track?
Aside from the new personnel on board (all but the core Traveller members, Jens and Jens, are new to the group), we haven't slept during the lockdown years. We've all used the time to refine our respective crafts, and are glad that it seems to have paid off! Nico and Bert are talented musicians with the same vision as Jens and Jens and that makes it so much easier to grow as a unit, as a band, and its artistic maturity.
Can we talk about the artwork as well? It really seems to fit so well with the message you are trying to portray here.
Thank you! That’s what we wanted to achieve! Our guitarist Jens collaborated with a photographer and the goal was to depict that kind of overcoming process while maintaining the look and the theme of the music video. Traveller wanted to put down their burdens and move on, using plastic wrap was a perfect fit for that!
Is "Burdens" a part of a larger project in the works here?
You've assumed correctly that "Burdens" isn't a one-off, haha. We've got more releases in the works – the next one to follow very soon. Next year is going to see a more significant release from us, and we're also constantly working on new material, so we're looking to keep the pace in 2023, as well as resume live performance activities then, as long as the pandemic allows that in Europe.
What is next for Traveller?
It’s good to be back in the public as a band and we’re enjoying that a lot! We really missed that. But that doesn’t mean that we put down the work, it has just started. There will be a few studio sessions and music video shoots in the next weeks, so we’re going to be busy as always! There will be a lot of new content, music, merch, videos, and shows in the next months and we can’t wait to hit the road again!