There is no doubt that Voi Vod has had a huge influence on some of today’s biggest Prog metal bands. They are known for bringing lots of strange outside elements and mixing it with more traditional metal values. Possibly Quebec’s greatest export to the world of rock for sure, this is the bands sixth album, released back in ’91.
After the brief and weird intro we burst into the quite straightforward Panorama with its killer riff and groove. Clouds In My House is a wonderful amalgamation of styles. Punk, New Wave, Metal, and hints of Rush all spring to mind while listening to this awesome song. That new wave vibe seeps on into The Prow, until we get to the middle eight where the groove and vibe changes into something more sinister and cool. Best Regards is driven along by a great sounding bass groove, and I love the way the main riff just chops away and again the middle section and instrumental pieces are just superb. Twin Dummy has a split psych, punk, metal crossover groove going down and this is what Voi Vod do so well. Side 1 closes out with the title track and you have to wonder if grunge was having an effect on the band as the vibe is very Seattle.
Side 2 kicks off with Golem and that huge clear bass sound and musicality that King Crimson would be proud of. The Outcast has (for Voi Vod) a quite straight forward heavy riff and groove. Nuage Fractal has a huge post punk feel, very reminiscent of some of Magazines output with added Prog weirdness. Freedom has a laid back vibe and is like nothing else on the album, that is until they turn on the amps. The album closes out with None Of The Above, and those Rush vibes are creeping in again.
There is no one like Voi Vod, and long may it be so.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
