Conor Fynes 'Voivod' - Voivod (6/10)

Six years had past after Voivod came out with 'Phobos'. Along with 'Negatron', mid-to-late nineties were a somewhat depraved time for Voivod, and lacking the distinctive voice of their frontman Denis Belanger, it almost felt like a different band altogether. Although the bass was now being handled by someone new, this was essentially a return to the way that Voivod once was, for the most part. Although the songwriting here lacks the same adventurous spirit and classic quality about it as did Voivod's early material, there is still a good batch of tracks here that should pleasantly satisfy the band's fanbase, provided they don't expect something as exciting as their earlier material.

Voivod's self-titled somewhat reminds me of Metallica's 'Black Album' in the sense that their core sound is still there, but alot of what made them originally so damned intense has been sheathed away. Mostly, the unexpected time signature changes and dissonant riffs have been done away with, and while Voivod's unique sound is still here, it feels like Voivod-lite. There is still spaciness, but it is generally a tame feeling, and most noticeable here are the surprisingly conventional riffs. Piggy is one of the greatest guitarists in metal for me, but hearing him here, his genius is much less evident, maybe sparing a few quirky riffs and a distinctive guitar tone that is used throughout. The songwriting here is pretty good, and it is very clear that it is Voivod the listener is dealing with, even barring the unique way that the band performs. Although this is still on an entirely different plane than 'Negatron' or 'Phobos', I very much believe that 'Voivod' could have been much better than it is. Even with the conventional riffs, things are highly enjoyable, but the monotony wears thin within a few tracks. This is because Voivod have made the sometimes fatal pairing of keeping their sound and direction generally the same throughout the entire thing, and being over an hour long in length, even a diehard Voivod fan will be likely to think that the thing could do with a little trimming.

Had I listened to this at the time it came out in 2003, I would have been pleasantly surprised to hear the Voivod I love making a return to form. In the overall scheme of their career though, it feels like the self-titled album can only pale when compared to the truly innovative stuff that the band did in the 80's and early 90's. 'Voivod' is still a good album, but doesn't hold the same place in my heart as do the classics.

UMUR "Voivod" is the self-titled 10th full-length studio album by Canadian metal act Voivod. The album was released in March 2003 by Chophouse Records/ Surfdog Records. After a longer album recording break Voivod is back in business, with a new "old" vocalist as Denis Bélanger (Snake) has returned to the fold. A bit more surprisingly a new bassist is added in Jason Newsted (Metallica, Flotsam & Jetsam) here with the nickname Jasonic. They replace vocalist/ bassist Eric "E-Force" Forrest who was crippled after breaking his back in a car accident in 2001.

Compared to the harder edged sound on the two Eric Forrest led albums "Negatron (1995)" and "Phobos (1997)", Voivod has taken a step back to the more melodic alternative/ slightly progressive metal sound they embraced in the early nineties. Especially "Angel Rat (1991)" comes to mind, but the material on "Voivod" isn´t nearly as memorable or innovative as the material on "Angel Rat" (or any other of the early Voivod albums for that matter). 13 tracks distributed over 65:38 minutes is a bit much when the songs don´t stand out more than they do. It´s not like there are any particularly bad tracks on the album and as such the quality level is consistent, but highlights are few and far between, which makes the album a rather standard/ mediocre release.

On the positive side the musicianship is excellent and the production is warm and powerful. The tracks lack a bit of edge and surprising instrumental moments, but there´s no denying the delivery is professional.

All in all "Voivod" is a decent comeback album by Voivod, but it doesn´t add much new to their discography. I had hoped for more but a 3 star rating is still warranted.

kluseba After a break of six years, the reunited band comes back with this album and has once again completely changed its style. On this album, the band approaches a stoner or rock and roll sound with some alternative elements.

The album begins very straight and powerful with the brilliant "Gasmask Revival" and "Face Up", but the next songs all sound too similar, too faceless. There is much more groove in thise songs, but a lack of straightness and heaviness. Nothing special stays on your mind, there are no innovating space sounds, hilarious solos or conceptual and atmospheric intros or interludes that this band has often done. Only one song slightly surprises you in the middle of nowhere, which is "I Don't Want To Wake Up" which remains me of an old Metallica ballad. Sure thing, because Jason Newsted has joined Voivod for this album. A part of this exception, one song after the other goes by and the album really becomes boring before the catchy single and album closer "We Carry On" reconnects with the straight opener of the album and pulls the listener out of a big black hole of boredom.

Four good efforts out of thirteen songs plus hidden track aren't simply enough for such a brilliant band. They are still innovating and have once more reinvented themselves on this album, but the weird and eerie sounds of the past, the surprising and courageous elements from their last efforts have gone away on this album. The new style sounds too faceless. I must call this album their weakest one in their whole album discography.