VOIVOD – Voivod

Voivod’s newest CD, self-titled, starts off with a song called “Gasmask Revival.” It is an unexpected straight-ahead rock song, with somewhat of a punk vibe, especially with Snake yelling lyrics like “No … I’m no more a good citizen, and never was!” The best way to describe this would be to imagine if Social Distortion and D.A.D. decided to write a song together. “Gasmask Revival” would be the creation. The only problem is, that’s as good as it gets.

Voivod has been making music since 1984, and they have left their mark on metal with albums like Nothingface. Their contribution to music cannot be overlooked. But this Newsted thing has turned somewhat complicated. His vaunted entrance into the band, almost as a “savior,” has turned incestuous as Robert Trujillo left Ozzy to join Metallica, and now Newsted will be playing with both Ozzy and Voivod.

But on to the good stuff. Song number four, “Real Again,” has a great grinding guitar and wicked double bass. The repetition of the line “if you’re in, I’m in” is apparently what Snake said to Newsted when he joined the band. It’s catchy as hell.

Snake has a distinctive voice, and it excels in songs like “Rebel Robot.” Voivod has always been known for their aggressively obscure lyrics, and yelling “there’s a little matrix in everyone” shows they are still in rare form. This is another instance where Voivod nails it.

By the time you get to the sixth song, “The Multiverse,” it’ll start feeling like you’ve heard it before: the rhythm of the song, the bass, the double bass, and the guitar licks and chords. Note for note, you haven’t, but it seems too familiar. And that is the biggest problem with the CD. The songs seem to run over each other; you can’t tell them apart.

Then, as you continue listening, the CD gets a little annoying. And that’s the rub. Take any four songs, in any order, and listen to them, and you’ll love it. But Voivod is chock-a-block full with 13 songs. Maybe it shouldn’t be.

Songs like “Reactor” are different enough from the rest of the album – especially vocally – to keep your attention. Overall, their songs are heavy, with great musicianship and cool lyrics, and this is one of their most straight-ahead albums, without forays into varied tempo changes.

Obviously, if you are a Voivod fan already, then this will make you quite happy. And anyone who is wondering what would happen if Social Distortion and D.A.D. recorded a song together, then it’s a must buy. For those of you on the fence, get the CD, don’t listen to the whole thing in one sitting, and you’ll appreciate it and find yourself playing it – in sections – over and over again.