Review VOIVOD “Symphonique”

When Voivod started in the early ’80s and released the album “War and Pain” in 1984, who would have thought that these metal punks would play a live show with a symphonic orchestra and release a live album of the event? People would have thought you were crazy. But the beauty of life is that things aren’t always predictable—that’s what makes life interesting.

Last summer, the unimaginable became reality. Voivod and the Orchestre symphonique de Québec performed at the Grand Théâtre de Québec. Needless to say, this special moment in the band’s career was recorded, and now fans all over the globe can enjoy this extraordinary event. “Symphonique” is the title of a stunning musical adventure that will leave you speechless.

One of the songs from the aforementioned debut album is also included in this stunning release’s tracklist. “Nuclear War” comes halfway through the album and starts with a dramatic introduction. The song’s fury is conveyed powerfully, and the newly arranged version gives “Nuclear War” a fresh feel, with the marching beat intensifying this early milestone. In this setup, the song feels like a dystopian soundtrack, with a cinematic vibe that showcases the greatness of these earlier songs.

With “Holographic Thinking,” we listen to music from more recent days, as the song is from the 2022 album “Synchro Anarchy.” The setlist is mainly based on the “Dimension Hatröss” and “Nothingface” albums. Both releases represent peaks in Voivod’s career, and songs like the intense “The Unknown Knows” demonstrate the power of these tunes.
“Symphonique” is an album containing songs such as “Cosmic Drama,” which gives the impression that chaos is taking over. However, Voivod and the orchestra, directed by Dina Gilbert, are always in control, making this “Dimension Hatröss” classic a gem on the live album. .

That night, the band played a song called “Pre-Ignition,” which drew inspiration from classical music during its creation. Guitarist Piggy D’Amour (R.I.P.) chose to quote Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring,” and the song has become a furious part of this live album.

One of Voivod’s most notable songs is actually a cover. The band released their interpretation of Pink Floyd’s “Astronomy Domine,” which appeared on the “Nothingface” album. This time, the song is the finale of the set, and it is a stunning climax. The timeless anthem from the progressive rock veterans demands such a spectacular interpretation, with the orchestra strengthening each part of this stellar anthem in rock history.

Voivod’s music has always been unique and the Canadians have always had their own unique sound. They developed their own signature sound, which they have refined over decades. Their orchestrated creativity, which leans toward chaos, has always been a pillar of their music, making “Symphonique” a logical artistic peak. From the sci-fi aspect to the blistering riffs and Snake’s unique vocals, everything screamed for an album like this, and now it’s here. Enjoy this galactic adventure where fantasy becomes reality.