I first encountered Voidchaser very early in their career via an Instagram advertisement for their single "Tyrant." The ad, now years old, hooked me with its blatant thesis claiming that 'prog fans will love this,' and they were spot on. I loved the single and its following EP, "Odyssey." Since 2024, it's clear that the band has grown exponentially. They've grown from creating amateur Minecraft animation music videos to releasing their first full-length album, "Interstellar I," independently just yesterday. It's been cool to see the band evolve, and it's a pleasure to dive starship-first into their biggest project yet.

"Interstellar I" proves that Voidchaser is a band with big aspirations, but the album isn't without its hindrances. I'm not one to immediately shit on an album's faults, so I'm starting by saying that this release is brimming with music. Technicality and musical proficiency are literally pouring out of this record during any given song, especially those reaching over seven minutes. Voidchaser never seems to run out of ideas, and while I'm pretty sure this isn't a concept album, they toy around with space themes and sci-fi audio clips. The band's musicianship, like the album's setting, is otherworldly. They can adapt to slower, ballady tracks like "Anything for Love," but they leave enough room for their usual heavy-hitting time signature craziness and djenty undertones, the type found in more epic tracks like "Rain / Solar Winds" or "Initiation Day." The bombastic attitude of the band is constantly shining, and it's a real call back to the 2000's era of progressive metal. Lead singer Chad utilises harsh vocals, but he's not overly reliant on them. Besides, there's other things to get caught up on, like the strings in the closing track, Mathieu Fiset's killer keyboard shredding, the segments of space ambience, and about a hundred other elements that make "Interstellar I" an ambitious album.

It's too bad the mixing is poor. Not poor in a sense where it's unlistenable, but there's a distinct wash over literally everything. The vocals are mixed way too quietly for a record as grand as "Interstellar I." The vocals aren't the only things affected by this production job -- in busier instrumental moments, pivotal times for any prog metal albums, things get way too loud and eventually the guitars collapse into each other, forming a, well, wash of sound. The drums also fall victim to this injustice, and while it isn't the hugest turn-off for me, I do have to consider this when evaluating the work as a whole. Some could argue it's atmosphere, but ehh...

Production aside, I'm glad to see Voidchaser back at it. "Interstellar I" is a sprawling LP that further excites me for what the band has in store. I'd love to listen to a second part of this Insterstellar series, but for me to really love it, the mixing HAS to improve.