Voivod - A wonder of genres... hits London

****
Voivod show real attitude in London

Voivod **** I have always admired Voivod, they way they evolve and change and try different things. They of course over the years have kept their Anarcho Punk / Metal attitude but adding elements of many different genres into the mix including Trash, Speed Metal, Industrial and Prog. The thing I like about Voivod is that we all have different favourite albums, my favourite would have to be 'The Outer Limits'. 

Tonight they hit one of the best venues in London, the o2 Academy in Islington co-headlining with Horror Metal blood thirsty monsters GWAR. The sad thing is I think some people don't realise they are co-headlining because the boards outside the venue just say GWAR. I think Voivod really don't get the praise they deserve, because I think they have been one of the most influential Metal bands over the decades. I have to admit I should have listened to this band more, because they offer so much. I have to say I have not listened to some of their albums as much as I should have. 

Voivod in tonight's set get better as they go on, to at the end they have really sucked you in and you don't want them to end. The strong strange presence by singer Snake is old school and mesmorising at the same time, his facial expressions are something in itself.The band open their set with 'Post Society' the title track from their 2016 EP of the same name, this nasty little track is a great song to open things with. It's got a classic sound to it, and is multi-layard with some great stop start changes in tempo. 

And merges into older track 'Psychic Vacuum' really nicely, giving them a good step into the begriming of their set. Voivod in recent years have stepped up their game even more, with killer tracks like 'Obsolete Beings' with it's haunting vocals by Snake and it's steady but crazy drum beats by Away is quite haunting but at the same time showing classic Thrash riffage. This next to the crazy 'Overreaction' shows what this band is capable of, and shows they have a great connection on stage... even when things go a bit mad.

And if you have heard the bands last offering, the brilliant album 'The Wake' you will understand what I am going on about. This is really shown in the track from that record 'Orb Confusion', which is one of my favourites in the bands live set tonight. But as I said earlier in the review I loved the album 'The Outer Limits', so of course one of my other favourite songs in the bands set is the amazing 'Fix my Heart'. 'Fix my Heart' is a real sing-a-ling Metal track, that sticks in your head and makes you want more. I think the strength of some of the new tracks, and songs they have picked to play near the end of the set really makes their live show get better and better... Voivod are a band that really know how to pick a set lists. 

So new song 'The End of Dormancy' goes down well with the audience, and shows their writing does not miss a beat. So as they end with 'The Unknown Knows, Fall' and their anthem 'Voivod' you know you have seen a legendary band that  really needs more respect. I have to say I am still humming 'The Unknown Knows', this song is as good as any track by your favourite Thrash Metal heavyweights Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax. 

A great set from a band I will be listening to more, it had everything... multiple genres, attitude, fun, great connection on stage. If you don't know Voivod that well I advise you to listen to my favourite records by them 'Nothingface' and of course 'The Outer Limits', but also try 'The Wake'. Their is great things still to come from this band, and I am personally looking forward to hearing more.

Voivod - Setlist
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Post Society
Psychic Vacuum
Obsolete Beings
Overreaction
Orb Confusion
Fix my Heart
End of Dormancy
The Unknown Knows
Fall
Voivod

Review and Photo's by Dan Devour 

Listen! to the Track 'The Unknown Knows' Below...