Voivod has always been an interesting band; one that is hard to figure out at times. They were one of the very first technical thrash metal outfits to come from Canada. Voivod incorporated odd musical tempos and futuristic story lines into their songs, traits that would set them apart from other bands early on in their career..

Voivod sometimes reminds me of a Wimbeldon Tennis match or a chameleon. . They seem to go back and forth between musical styles, never really sticking with one formula for more than a few albums at time. Where albums like "War And Pain" and "Rrroooaaarrr!" bordered on Metallica meets Slayer, "Killing Technology" and "Dimension Hatross" contained more mature and interesting styles of writing with longer songs and more thought-provoking lyrics. Then albums like "Nothingface", "Angel Rat" and "The Outer Limits" tried to focus on vocal melodicism with a more mainstream metal sound. "Negatron" and "Phobos" would return to a heaviness that was very machine like and technical in nature, closer to the first two albums.

So with Voivod's 13th album, simply titled "Voivod", the band has reunited with original vocalist Snake and recruited none other than ex Metallica bass player Jason Newstead. In fact, Voivod has always been one of Jason Newstead's favorite bands and is one reason why the band got back together with Snake. These welcomed additions help make "Voivod" a strong and overall successful effort.

"Voivod" seems to be closer in sound and style to albums like "Nothingface", "Angel Rat" and "The Outer Limits"; albums which I like most out of Voivod's career and should please Voivod fans of those releases. The music can be best described as heavy rock, a bit straighforward at times and raw in sound; recalling the rough and punky days of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal at times. "Voivod" still contains the use of complex rhythms, twisted compositions and intergalactic effects. Piggy's guitar sound is still dissonant yet heavy. Away's drumming is as good as ever. Snake's vocals on "Voivod" are probably the best he's ever sounded, where he sings his heart out and sounds clear doing it so you can make out the lyrics. Of course, Jason Newstead's phenomenal bass playing adds alot to the Voivod sound as well.

This album might take a few spins to get used to but you'll be loving it after that. It's great to see Voivod return to a style and sound that seemed to work best for them between 1989-1993.