Sometimes you like to listen something that isn’t going top blow your brains out, or that will have you on edge all of the time. Then you just want something more light-hearted, but still sounding good. Well, I found something that just fits that bill with the Dutch Melodic Progressive Rock (with Metal tendensies) ensemble TRAVERSUS. They are not that well known, and as I find out that “Navigate” is their second EP to date, I have good look at the (thankfully) extensive list of information that has come with the music, and I find out that TRAVERSUS actually already released their first EP “The Only Way Is Through” in 2023. The fact that they were able to enlist the productional help of Joost van den Broek for that release has to be a testament as to the simmering talent that must have been ready to pop out.

What does surprise me is that TRAVERSUS see themselves as a Metal band. Well, I wouldn’t, at least not at first and not completely. What we have playing here really is Melodic Rock with Progressive tendencies and Metallic rhythms and sounds. So yes, at times it does come out as really Metallic, but it also always has a Rocking feel to it. On top of that you have the other times when what TRAVERSUS play is really Melodic, but I have to admit and concur that most of the time it is a combination of all three. But one thing I shouldn’t forget to mention is that what it keeps on doing is Swing. Everything that is on “Navigate” has a kind of swagger that will have you move your hips as well as tap your feet, or even walk with the rhythm and tempo of the music.

As for the music itself on “Navigate”, it’s just over half an hour long and it has a kind of quality to it that has me in two minds. I like what I hear most of the time, as TRAVERSUS is capable of holding your attention where they want it, but I also feel that there is something missing in order for me to become really enthusiastic about what I am listening to. even though the record has a flawless production and it sometimes really makes me smile, I just can’t seem to be able to recognise it as beautiful or brilliant. That is why I would advise you that if you need to find out by yourself what you think, you really need to have a listen and decide for yourself.