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Voivod

Before, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, before Arcade Fire, christ even before Celine Dion... there was Voivod, Quebec's pride and joy. They put the province on the map long before anyone else did as a place where interesting musical talent could emerge (there was a time when bands like Soundgarden and Faith No More would open for them on tour). Even during their earlier stages, regardless of the fact that their brand of metal was deeply rooted in the thrash metal scene of the time, there has always been something different and original about them. These four boys from Joncquiere, Quebec tackled the scene while taking a different approach, often incorporating science fiction themes into their songs, working with odd-time signatures and progrock tendencies. In doing so, they became an entity that evolved in parallel with the metal scene of the time (early eighties), but their work was worlds apart.

Even though today some of the subject matter found in their work sounds a bit naive, their work still sounds fresh and original; I consider them to be one of the rare metal acts of the time who still deserve recognition today. But even though they shuld be as highly regarded as another respectable metal band of the time, Slayer, Voivod remains shamefully underrated. True they have gone through many different line ups and their work became more and more inconsistent during their later years (only to redeem themselves around the turn of the new millennium), but no one could blame the band from constantly evolving and trying new things.

I remember getting a copy of Rrröööaaarrr!!! on tape in the late eighties from a "friend", I was completely fascinated with Away's artwork and although I wasn't sure what to think of the music (it was pretty extreme at the time) I kept listening to it and it slowly grew on me. I didn't understand it back then, but almost twenty years later, I can finally see the importance and respect the band has garnered throughout the years. It's not wonder Dave Grohl was so proud of getting Snake to work on his Probot project or that Jason Newsted became good friends with them and even joined the band after quitting Metallica and helping them get a second chance and letting a whole new generation discover them. Sadly, with the passing away of Piggy (metal's most underrated guitarist if you ask me), Voivod's future seems uncertain, but if they were to call it quits now, they could rest assured that they did it while they were still ahead (for the second time).

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