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Voivod are :
Eric Forrest on Bass and Vocals
Michel Langevin on Drums
Denis d'Amour on Guitar
The tracks are :
1. Catalepsy I
2. Rise
3. Mercury
4. Phobos
5. Bacteria
6. Temps Mort
7. The Tower
8. Quantum
9. Neutrino
10. Forlorn
11. Catalepsy II
12. M-Body
13. 21st Century Schizoid Man
It is with heavy heart, that I begin this review of the latest offering
from one of Canada's finest bands. You see tragedy struck Voivod
on August 4th while on-route to a festival in Switzerland. One of
the back tyres blew out causing the vehicle to roll six times, while
Denis and Michael Langevin suffered only cuts and bruises,
bassist Eric Forrest was not so lucky. Eric suffered
internal injuries, broken ribs and broken bones in his spine. Doctors
say he will walk again, but the road to recovery will be a long hard
one. I'm sure I speak for everyone when we wish Eric a speedy
recovery and lets hope Phobos won't be the last.
Personally I think Voivod are one of the most underrated bands
ever. If it wsn't for bands such as Voivod and Celtic Frost,
metal would not have evolved to it's present state. You see Voivod
were mixing metal riffs with samples, industrial rhythms and various
forms of dance long before most of the bands out there today even
thought about it.
Voivod have always done their own thing regardless of fashion
or trend. I always remember listening to 'Angel Rat' with that
statement firmly in my mind. You see 'Angel Rat' came out at
about the same time as the hardcore scene was taking off.
So what did Voivod do ?
They released an album that drew it's main influences from the psychedelic
era and a damn fine album it was too, only a band with true vision
would attempt something like that. Phobos finds Voivod
returning to their roots with a 13 tracks of hard edged razor sharp
metal mixed with some ace programming layered over industrial rhythms
with vocals that are best described as a chainsaw cutting through
cold steel. Still not clear?
Well, dig out a copy Ministry's 'Psalm 69' and play 'Jesus Built My
Hotrod'.
Phobos is so powerful and intense from the word go, it's another
album thats best listened to on headphones at some stage for the simple
reason that you may just miss something. For example theres a real
sinister feel to the opener 'Catalepsy I' provided by some
ace effects. 'Mercury' has some fine guitar riffs and a vertical
thumping rhythm, theres a real menace to the title track 'Phobos'
and the menace is continued on the next track 'Bacteria'.
'Temps Mort' is a short instrumental, but in saying that, if
one track on Phobos can sum up Voivod's dark visions
of the future then 'Temps Mort' is it. Voivod even cover King
Crimson's '21st Century Schizoid Man', now covers work or they
don't, but because of the overall feel to the album, this works big
time and is a fitting way to end the album.
To be fair, all of the above and more could quite easily be picked
up via normal listening methods (full volume through the speakers),
but with Voivod's creative talents so evident on each track,
I would suggest that you do give the headphones a try and let your
brian backfire as it tries to adjust to Voivod's technical
genius.
Die-hard Voivod fans will probably already own Phobos
by now, but if your one of those people who have never marvelled at
Voivod's creative talents then Phobos is as good a place
to start and while your at it , why not add the already mentioned
'Angel Rat' to your collection.
One of the true metal pioneers
Highly Recommended!!!
The CD is released by Slipdisc Records Inc.
101 W.Grand Ave, Sixth Floor.
Chicago,
IL 60610
Tel : 312-396-0200
Fax : 312-396-0245
Website : http://www.slipdisc.com
Voivod Website : http://www.oueb-design.com
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