For my review of the prior Killing Technology I wrote: "It's still not my favorite type of thrash metal - and it is noisy. I think part of the issue I had was the date itself. 1987 is awfully late for this kind of post punky scratchy thrash with screamed vocals. I wanted some muscle in my music! Killing Technology is not heavy in my opinion. But it's definitely still thrash metal. Metallica was already on their 4th opus, and continuing to progress - at least technically. On close listen, Voivod is also technical, but it's lost in the barrage of sound. But I have to give Voivod credit - they just keep coming at you. This album is relentless in its riffing. There are no breathers here. They're going for broke for the entire 40 minutes. I hadn't really given this much thought before, but there are parallels here with the first Coroner album, another band that was a little late to the party, but improved exponentially in a short period of time. I could see this album growing in stature for me, now that I have my mind adjusted to the contents within. Gee, I really need to hear Dimension Hatross sometime..."
And that day finally arrived. Are there many differences to the above? Not as much as I had expected, but yes there are. They're still pretty noisy, but the sound is easier to dissect and digest. The vocals are becoming more softened and melodic. And the music is even more complex. They're still not that heavy - certainly nowhere near where a lot of bands were in 1988, which is clearly emerging as the prog year 1973 of heavy metal. I always wondered where Thought Industry got any of their ideas, their debut album being so unique. But one can hear some similarities here. The Milwaukee band Realm also comes to mind with the use of electronics. I love these make-it-up-as-you-go-along albums. I'm beginning to realize that metal had more of these albums than even progressive rock when it comes to sheer inventiveness.
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In addition to the above, the CD I have includes a full show from Montreal called Spectrum '88 - A Flawless Structure? While normally a live show by a metal band doesn't pique my interest much, I was most curious how Voivod would sound minus the studio dressing. It's most interesting to hear these compositions in raw sound, but in general the music held its own. Sounding more like a progressive Motorhead at this point. Also fun to hear the band bantering with the audience in "street French". Very enjoyable on the whole and worth owning with the studio album.
Ownership: CD: 2017 Noise (Europe). 2xCD + 1 DVD. Triple fold out digi-pak with complete liner notes, a full concert, photos, and a DVD filled with more shows and outtakes. I haven't seen or heard the DVD yet - for another day. It's not easy these days to get me to buy a new CD online unless I find it at a thrift shop. But this one is a no brainer. What a great overall package. It's also likely to prevent me from paying retail at a record store for the original LP, though I could always luck out and find it - I'd keep both then.
9/24/22 (new entry)
Good evening Tom.
ReplyDeleteI was regularly corresponding with Away, back at the times. We also exchanged some "weird" stuff on tape. At the times of "Dimension Hatross" he had told me that, outside metal, their biggest influences had been: "Aspic" period King Crimson and Van Der Graaf Generator.
Great stuff - thanks my friend! Hope all is well.
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