Send "Voivod " Ringtones to your Cell 
| Sputnikmusic |
 Technical thrash/prog rock veterans Voivod have been through a ton of shit over their thirty year career. They’ve had to deal with multiple line-up changes, including five different bass players and two vocalists, and have gone on ‘hiatus’ twice in the last ten years. Of course, the biggest loss was the death of their iconic guitarist, Denis D'Amour. It was his distinctive playing style, more than anything else, that gave the band their unique sound and it ended up influencing countless other guitar players. When he died there was the obvious question of whether the rest of the band would continue, and after much soul-searching they opted to remain active. This lead to a series of concerts including a special headlining gig at Club Soda in Montreal. This concert was special because it featured all of the remaining original members reunited onstage for the first time since 1991; rounded out by Daniel Mongrain on guitar. Fortunately, for those of us that couldn’t make it to Canada for that solitary show, the band have released it as the fifteen track Warriors of Ice.With the inclusion of original bass player Jean-Yves Thériault, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Warriors of Ice is basically a celebration of the band’s first six albums (as well as two songs from Infini). That means that everything from the sloppy thrash of War and Pain to the slick prog of Angel Rat is represented, and they all benefit from the modern, bottom-heavy production. Of course, purists may argue that the original productions were pretty damn good (and I would agree), but there’s something to be said about hearing “Voivod” from their 1984 debut with a huge clear guitar sound and a thunderous rhythm section backing it. The songs that seem to benefit even more from this thick production are the ones taken from Angel Rat and Nothingface – both of which lacked any real power on the original albums. Both of those albums were aligned more with prog rock than the band’s thrash beginnings and the productions reflected that focus, but on Warriors of Ice they’re treated to the same heavy sound as the rest of the music. The gritty guitar sound and fat bottom end give the Angel Rat songs a power that they originally lacked, to the point that they actually sound more like metal tracks now. Nothingface’s songs benefit from the same powerful sound, but it also gives the quirky technical arrangements more of a chaotic feel than the originals – especially near the end of the title track....full text |
| Heavymetal |
| Canadian legends Voivod, a band that I’ve been listening to since day one way back in 1984, triumphantly return with Warriors Of Ice, a live album recorded during the band’s headlining show at Club Soda in their native Montreal on December 12th, 2009. Warriors Of Ice is the first album release with Martyr guitarist Daniel Mongrain (aka Chewy), filling the shoes left behind by the untimely death of visionary guitarist Denis “Piggy” D’Amour in 2005. As would be expected, all ears are on Mongrain. Given that Martyr are a highly skilled, technical death metal band in their own right, obviously Mongrain is more than capable of playing the material, but he is able to shed his more technical style for the unique, progressive style of D’Amour quite nicely, capturing D’Amour’s spirit. The unique spirit and style of Voivod, embodied in Piggy, would be of utmost concern to most, especially those that are not familiar with the Tatsumaki: Voivod Live In Japan 2008 DVD, Mongrain’s only other recording with Voivod. Also, that DVD, although I’ve not seen it, apparently suffers from a poor recording and is not a fitting tribute to D’Amour, nor Voivod for that matter, a band that now has to establish their identity beyond the tragic death of their friend. Warriors Of Ice is flawless and shines on many fronts. The recording is crystal clear with an even mix giving all instruments a chance to be heard. The song selection ranges over Voivod’s career, only covering material with Denis “Snake” Belanger on vocals (as expected). Selections range from gems from yesteryear such as “Voivod” from War and Pain, to “The Prow” from the highly progressive and overlooked classic Angel Rat, to material recorded with Jason Newsted on bass, such as “Global Warming” from D’Amour’s last recording, Infini, which was released in 2009. The timing of the release of Warriors Of Ice neatly coincides with Voivod’s recent headlining stint at Maryland Deathfest. The band’s appearance at that festival, the release of Warriors Of Ice, and the recent announcement of forthcoming new material from Voivod indicates that a page has been turned, and the future of this visionary, classic band is bright, indeed...full text |
| Themetalden |
| Legendary Canadian metal act VOIVOD has released Warriors of Ice, a 15-track live set captured for their most diehard fans. This is the main set VOIVOD performed during their 2010 US tour. It was their very first headlining show in the city of Montreal in more than a decade and from the excited sound of the audience, it’s more than apparent that this is a show they so desperately needed. The guys jam with extra passion on this night as they unload fierce rockers, such as “The Prow”, “Global Warning” and “Nothingface”. This reviewer has always loved this band’s raw, stripped down, totally brutal form of punk-laced progressive thrash metal. It can get totally ugly and then beautiful within a fraction of moments, and for a live album that’s exactly what you are looking for. Being that it’s the first official Voivod live album to feature original band members Denis ‘Snake’ Belanger on vocals, drummer Michel “Away” Langevin and bass player Jean-Yves ‘Blacky’ Theriault (not to mention new guitarist Dan “Chewy” Mongrain, who does a more than competent job), you can’t help but get amped about what you are hearing. Since their beloved guitar genius Denis “Piggy” D’Amour died in 2005, the band has clearly been put to the test. When most acts would have folded it up, these guys seem to just dig in deeper, for the sake of the music and their overall legacy. Only true metal music lovers can appreciate this band, for others just don’t get them because they don’t fit a mold or that ‘formula’. You can’t predict where they will come from next.. you just know they are going to keep coming at you. Voivod, I am afraid, like some futuristic robot, cannot be killed. At the heart of their frenzied sonic blitz is a group of dudes who just want to play music their way… and to not let the fans down that have come to look upon them as an ultimate metal legend....full text |
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