Genre: Thrash Metal
Release Date: Out Now
Label: Noise Records
It’s no secret that Canadian metallers Voivod evolved over the years. These giants experimented with speed, thrash, and progressive, moving them up on metal ranks as one of the big four thrash acts from Canada. All though it has been four years since 2013’s Target Earth, they have quite a few surprises in the works. While we continue to wait for a new full-length album expected to be released later this year and enjoyed their 2016 EP Post Society, they unveiled a few reissues for their veteran and newcomer fans. Not only do they feature digital optimization and sound enhancement, but it also brings the classics back to life, and of course, with a few extra goodies attached.
First up comes at you with a huge roar for the band’s second studio album 1986’s Rrröööaaarrr. A personal favorite which includes aggressive iconic songs such as “Fuck Off and Die” and “Thrashing Rage.” It’s most likely the album that got people to fall in love with this band. The reissued LP has been re-mastered from the original tapes and pressed on high-quality heavy-weight vinyl. With the optimized landscape, you get to relive the album in it’s entirety. The 2CD/DVD set includes an extensive amount of bonus material including a previously unreleased show from their 1986 Spectrum ‘86 No Speed Limit Week-End show in Montreal. Additionally, you receive a full classic demo, band rehearsal tracks, and never before heard sound collage from the tapes of the late Piggy, who died in 2005 from colon cancer. You can also watch early video footage from a variety of shows, witnessing (or re-living) the beginning of Voivod. Essentially, you are getting hours of well-worth material, and this one is by far the best of the three.
FORMAT: 2CD+DVD
CD1
Korgull the Exterminator
Fuck Off and Die
Slaughter in a Grave
Ripping Headaches
Horror
Thrashing Rage
The Helldriver
Build Your Weapons
To the Death!
CD2 – Spectrum ’86 – ‘No Speed Limit Week-End’; Live at Montreal, October ’86
Korgüll the Exterminator
Ripping Headaches
Blower
Fuck Off and Die
Tornado
Iron Gang
War and Pain
Warriors of Ice
Nuclear War
Overreaction
The Helldriver
Ravenous Medicine
Voivod
Thrashing Rage
DVD
Audio:
Rrröööaaarrr Rough Mix Demo 1985
Anachronism Live 25.06.86 (first show)
Early Rehearsals 1983-1984
Piggy Sound Collage 1980
Video:
Live, NYC, N.Y., USA – 05/05/86; First U.S. Show
Live, Long Beach, C.A., USA – 06/13/86
Live, Jonquiere High School, QC, Canada, 12/20/84; Morgoth Invasion
Live, Jonquiere Cultural Center QC, Canada, 01/27/84; To the Death!
Slideshows: Artwork (1983 – 1986) + Live & Studio Photos (1985 – 1986)
1987’s Killing Technology is the band’s third full-length album which kicked off their progressive experiments while incorporating thrash, punk and speed metal blissful tunes. The LP version of this reissue does not include songs “Too Scared to Scream” and “Cockroaches,” which were both featured on the original 1987 single Cockroaches, it contains the original seven-track layout. However, the 2CD/DVD bundle includes those two songs and much more. You will hear a previously unreleased show from their 1987 ‘Spectrum show recorded live in Montreal and concerts performed by the band in both the United States and Switzerland.
2CD+DVD
CD1
Killing Technology
Overreaction
Tornado
Too Scared To Scream
Forgotten In Space
Ravenous Medicine
Order of The Blackguards
This Is Not An Exercise
Cockroaches
CD2
Spectrum ’87 – Live In Montreal, September 1987:
Killing Technology
Overreaction
Ravenous Medicine
Tornado
Korgull The Exterminator
Ripping Headaches
Blower
Live For Violence
Tribal Convictions
Order of The Blackguards
Cockroaches
To The Death
Voivoid
Batman
DVD
Audio:
Live At Kriekelaarzaal, Brussels, Belgium: 28/11/87
Video:
Live At The Token Lounge, Westland, MI, USA: 14/05/87
Live At Rossli Azmoosm, Sargans, Switzerland: 06/11/87
Live At Festhalle, Tuttlingen, Germany: 07/11/87
Live At Rex Club, Paris, France: 01/12/87
Live At Ildiko’s, Toronto, ON, Canada: 19/09/87
Slideshows: Artwork (1987) | Live & Studio Photos (1987)
Next up, 1988’s Dimension Hatröss, the band’s fourth studio album that brought their experiments to new ranks including a bit of sci-fi action mixed with speedy riffs and endless momentum. The LP for this reissue does not include the song “Batman,” you will have to get the double CD/DVD bundle for it. With that said, you do get a handful of extra material including another unreleased show from The Spectrum ‘88 Concert – A Flawless Structure? This show was again, recorded in Montreal on December 21st, 1988. This reissue includes less features than the prior mentions, but you still get your money’s worth.
FORMAT: 2CD+DVD
CD1
Experiment
Tribal Convictions
Chaosmongers
Technocratic Manipulators
Macrosolutions To Megaproblems
Brain Scan
Psychic Vacuum
Cosmic Drama
Batman
CD2 – Spectrum ’88 – ‘A Flawless Structure?’; Live in Montreal, December 21st 1988:
Overreaction
Experiment
Tribal Convictions
Chaosmongers
Ravenous Medicine
Korgull The Exterminator
Technocratic Manipulators
Macrosolutions To Megaproblems
War And Pain Medley
Brain Scan
Psychic Vacuum
Order to The Black Guards
Holiday In Cambodia
Batman
DVD
Audio
– Dimension Hatröss Demo 1987
Videos
Live At Blondies, Detroit, MI, USA : 18.11.88
Live At The Axiom, Houston, Texas, USA : 10.12.88
Live At Anthrax, Norwalk, CT, USA : 09.11.88
Live At Fenders Ballroom, Long Beach, California, USA: 03.12.88
Slideshows – Artwork | Live And Studio Photos (1988)
Overall, these reissues help relive the early days of the band and have us eager to hear what their music in 2017 will sound as a full-length LP.
Review by Zenae Zukowski
SCORE:
Rrröööaaarrr reissue: LP – 7/10 | 2CD/DVD – 10/10
Killing Technology reissue: LP – 8/10 | 2CD DVD – 9/10
Dimension Hatröss reissue: LP – 8/10 | 2CD/DVD – 7/10
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