Voivod
Dimension Hatross

THE REVIEW

I have always been struck by the superficiality with which some critics label Voivod as a "thrash-metal band": indeed this is the hasty conclusion that a (disgusted) listener might draw from listening to the thunderous "RRROOOAAARRR!!!", for example. But there is more to it, of course.

The references to "Ummagumma" by Pink Floyd are evident, almost brazen, and in truth, there isn't much left of the original heavy-metal, I would rather speak of a psychedelic-metal similar (but essentially diversified) to what Enslaved proposed in their latest works. The original idea, at this point, would seem to be Voivod’s: why not blend metal, progressive, psychedelia, at a time when it is still too important to go around with a label on you? The underlying idea of the record seems to be making music absolutely inconceivable for an "average fan" (we are in 1988), while remaining faithful to themselves, and their passion for granitic riffs, frantic drumming, and fierce outbursts.

The first aspects to note are: Snake's atypical voice, more reminiscent of "alternative rock" than metal, Piggy's (rip) wild and uncontrolled riffing, which harks back more to Syd Barrett than to Hetfield, Away's drumming skills, who also crafted the album's artwork. Not to forget Blacky's bass, currently replaced by Jason Newstead (time passes...).

The impressive sequence of tracks, one better than the other, presents a "dissonant" note (in a good way) that I would summarize (a bit abruptly) in these terms:

1) the ultra-thrash drums on which particularly the guitarist lets loose, playing varied riffs with sound/noise delusions reminiscent of "Piper At The Gates Of Dawn”, thus stepping out of the HM genre canons; 2) Snake's voice, highly inspired and presenting a substantial tribute to Barrett/Gilmour;
3) the "typical" counter-tempos, or crazy rhythms alternated with moments recalling German "pure thrash" like Sodom/Destruction.

Particularly beautiful tracks are "ChaosMonger", "Experiment", "Brain Scan", not to forget a final little gem, "Batman": and we are talking about the actual TV series theme song...! A really surprising work, which I appreciated from the very first listen, but one that requires certain attention to be digested. Like all works of Strapping Young Lad, Meshuggah, to name a few. The discourse regarding the lyrics is quite complex, dedicated as usual to the feats of Korgull, in the dreaded medieval future world ("I'm now a part of this machine/Supervised by the telescreen" it almost seems "Welcome my son/to the machine...").

Returning to the music, there are moments where the sound becomes metal again, others where it evolves into psychedelia. Plenty of electronic effects, but dosed just right, a guitar that literally seems to speak, and continuous tempo changes that never come across as pretentious or contrived. We can't call it prog-metal, nor thrash (strictly with the 'h's in the right place!), nor psychedelia: they are Voivod, they must "just" be perceived for what they are.

By "metalheads", progressive fans, by anyone!