Voivod
Formed: 1982
From:
Canada
Last Known Status: Active
Background
Voivod (consisting of singer Denis "Snake" Belanger, guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour, drummer Michel Langevin, and bassist Jean-Yves Theriault) was one of the first thrash bands out of Canada to gain popularity outside of their home country. From their beginning in the early '80s, their main goal was to be different from anyone else and thus they incorporated odd musical tempos and futuristic story lines into their songs, often dealing with technology taking over the world. Voivod opened the way for other Canadian thrash bands and for metal bands with their unique styles of performing and writing.
Such early releases as 1984's "War and Pain" and 1986's "Rrrroooaaarrr!" showed that the quartet was aligned to the then up-and-coming thrash metal movement, eventually letting their prog-rock influences seep in on 1987's "Killing Technology" and 1988's "Dimension Hatross." By the time of their major-label debut for MCA, 1989's "Nothingface," Voivod had perfected their thrash metal/prog rock style, resulting in the most commercially successful release of their career -- spearheaded by a video for their cover of Pink Floyd's "Astronomy Domine" (which enjoyed airings on MTV's Headbangers Ball) and a headlining club tour over a pair of bands that would soon change the landscape of alt-rock by the early '90s, Soundgarden and Faith No More.
But just as it appeared as though Voivod may be able to break through to a wider audience, Theriault left the group right after the release of 1991's "Angel Rat" as the album quickly sunk from sight while the rest of the rock world focused their attention on the burgeoning alt-rock/Seattle movement. "The Outer Limits" followed two years later, which was followed shortly thereafter by Belanger's exit from the band. By the mid-'90s, Voivod's lineup had been scaled down to a trio -- newcomer Eric Forest doubled on vocals and bass, resulting in such releases as 1995's "Negatron" (which was the #1 Aggressive Rock in the United States in the first week of release) and 1997's "Phobos." 2000 saw the release of the odds and ends compilation "Kronik" as well as the live set "Lives." In early 2001, the remaining members decided to call it a day when Forest departed, only to reunite several months later with Belanger back on board and with former Metallica member (and longtime Voivod fan) Jason Newsted filling in on bass.
Latest Voivod News
Below is our complete Voivod news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.
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Voivod Sign With The End Records
Legendary Canadian metallers VOIVOD, now featuring former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted (a.k.a. Jasonic), have inked a U.S. deal with The End Records. The band will enter the studio in the fall of 2005 to begin recording their 11th studio album, tentatively due in early 2006.
Drummer Michel Langevin (a.k.a. Away) has confirmed that the band have completed the writing of the follow-up to 2003's "Voivod", describing the material as containing "a bit of an eerie vibe, with experimental vocals by Snake, spiralling solos by Piggy and heaviness courtesy of Jasonic!"
Regarding the new partnership, VOIVOD said in a statement: "We are very proud to join The End Records in their quest to promote progressive heavy music. A perfect home for a band like VOIVOD."
Voivod Complete Songwriting, To Release DVD
VOIVOD drummer Away (a.k.a. Michel Langevin) has posted the following message on the group's official web site:
We are finally done with the writing of the album.
The songs have a bit of an eerie vibe, with experimental vocals by Snake, spiralling solos by Piggy and heaviness courtesy of Jasonic!
All the '80s archives have been transfered to beta and sent to Eclectic DVD for our first DVD release.
I'd like to thank MusiquePlus, Ed Seaman, Jean-Francois Labrecque, Jeff Wagner and Ronald Mc Gregor for their contribution.
I'm still in the process of scanning hundreds of drawings for my book, to be released on Troubleman Unlimited.
All this work will result in a barrage of Voivodian material coming out in the next months.
Thanks again for your patience.
P.S.: In the latest issue of Metal Hammer U.K.: A three-page story about the making of 'Dimension Hatross', by our longtime friend Malcolm Dome. This album was crucial in the sense that Harris Johns, producer/sound experimentalist introduced me to the Akai S-9000 sampler and the Roland Octapad. Suddenly my range of spooky sounds was much wider. Some of these noises can be heard on 'Tribal Convictions' and 'Brain Scan', among others. Piggy also told me that he learned from Harris some very inventive ways to use his own multi-effects processor, which also expanded his possibilities. Much credit goes to Harris Johns for the industrial metal revolution!
Watch E-Force's Performace Of "Satanic Rituals"
A live video of E-FORCE performing the track "Satanic Rituals" at this year's Raismes Fest has been posted online at this location: http://www.recordfinder.com/eforce/mp3/E-Force_-_Satanic_Rituals.mpg (.mpg, 44.4 MB).
As previously reported, E-FORCE will be teaming up with CARPATHIAN FOREST, TSJUDER and WYKKED WYTCH for a European tour beginning in early February.
E-FORCE is the new band fronted by former VOIVOD bassist/vocalist Eric Forrest. The group's current lineup is rounded out by Dennis Rousell (guitar), Krof (drums) and Jerome Point (lead guitar). The band's debut album, "Evil Forces", was released in October 2003 via France's Season Of Mist. It was recorded at Wild Studio in St-Zenon, Quebec, Canada with producer Pierre Rémillard (CRYPTOPSY, KATAKLYSM, GORGUTS, KRISIUN)
Voivod's New Album In Progress
The following update was posted on the official Voivod website:
Attention! Attention! Attention! All friends in the Multiverse.
The Voivod is alive and well in the land of ice. Currently, there are approximately 25 songs in progress for the next recordings. Mssr. Piggy is churning up evil with some very metal riffage and leading the way as we are charting our course of execution for the months ahead.
As of now, we plan to return to the same rooms with the same helmsman of the Nothingface era. (Translation: Away, Snake, Piggy, and Jasonic make some serious new Voivodian noise in Montreal with Glen Robinson producing.) This is our dream, this is our quest.
So, as the world spins faster everyday, we will make our music, our way, when everything aligns. In time, the Voivod again will rise! Listen closely for the cries...in 2005...
We look forward to sharing the metal with our people. Until we see you...
Keep It Heavy,
Jasonic
P.S. Check out the 20th Anniversary "War and Pain" release from Metal Blade. Awesome true old school!
Watch The Get Thrashed Documentary Trailer Online
The trailer for the forthcoming Get Thrashed documentary has been put online here. The documentary will include interviews by the following artists:
METALLICA, SLAYER, ANTHRAX, EXODUS, GODSMACK, DISTURBED, SEVENDUST, TESTAMENT, OVERKILL, DEATH ANGEL, SHADOWS FALL, MESHUGGAH, IN FLAMES, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, STONE SOUR, SUPERJOINT RITUAL, LAMB OF GOD, VIO-LENCE, KREATOR, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, VOIVOD, CHIMAIRA, BIOHAZARD, FOZZY/WWE Superstar Chris Jericho, SEPULTURA, KITTIE, THE HAUNTED, D.R.I., SOILWORK, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, HEATHEN, Brian Slagel, Jon & Marsha Zazula, authors Ian Christe (Sound of the Beast) and Steven Blush (American Hardcore), NY metal radio DJ Eddie Trunk, Rampage Radio's Ron Quintana and featuring the music of unsigned bands: EXIT TO ETERNITY, OSMIUM, CONCRETE COFFIN, VISCID, NOCTURNAL FEAR, KAOS, RESPONSE NEGATIVE, ULYSSES SIREN
Metal Musicians Guest On Horrorcore Rap CD
The following guest musicians will be appearing on MC Necro's new album, "The Pre-Fix For Death":
Jamey Jasta and Sean Martin of Hatebreed , #0 of Slipknot aka DJ Starscream (Sid Wilson), Trever Perez of Obituary, Away of Voivod, Dan Lilker of Nuclear Assault, S.O.D., Brutal Truth, and Danny Diablo of Crown of Thorns, Scarhead.
Necro's official biography says the following: More...
Newsted/Voivod Early Sessions Posted Online
Years before officially joining VOIVOD, former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted (a.k.a. Jasonic) jammed with Away (drums) and Piggy (guitar) at Jason's The Chophouse studio under the project name TARRAT. In 1998, the three VOIVOD instrumentalists regrouped at The Chophouse for five days of improvisational metal. These sessions produced tons of great sounds, including the initial structure of the song "M-Body" (which can be found on the VOIVOD LP "Phobos") as well as this recording entitled "One Reason", featuring the vocal stylings of Sophia Ramos. Taped a few months after TARRAT had laid down their music tracks, her vocals added a distinctive and unexpected touch of class to the original composition. Check out a two-minute clip in Real Audio format at this location.
Jason Newsted Update, New Voivod Material
Former OZZY OSBOURNE and current VOIVOD bassist Jason Newsted has checked in via the Chophouse Studios newsletter. Here's what he had to say:
"I would like to thank the Osbournes for including VOIVOD in their tours this year. I am honored to have had the privilege to share the stage with Ozzy, Zach and Mike through a very successful summer. It was a blast playing old BLACK SABBATH songs with this band!
My agreement with the Osbournes was to play bass for the gigs that Ozzy had committed to through December 2003. I wish Ozzy the best as he continues to fly the flag for metal!
I am excited to be back making new music with VOIVOD. The Chophouse studio is fired up and ready for the creation of the next album."