Voivod’s Infini(te) Swansong
Before even pressing play, it’s impossible not to soak in at least some of the gravity of what you’re about to hear. Infini. The last Voivod record. As in, “After this, there won’t be any more of them.” Doneski. Fini, as they might say in the band’s native Quebec –marking the ever-present metal pun.
The narrative of the album is almost as powerful as the music itself: guitarist Denis “Piggy” D’Amour stricken with colon cancer and aware of his limited time, recording riffs onto a laptop given him by bassist Jason “Jasonic” Newstead so that even after his untimely passing in August 2005, the influential band could press with new releases. 2006’s Katorz (The End Records) was the first and, now having joined forces with Relapse Records, a grand final statement is made in Infini.
If they are done (never say never in metal), then Infini is a hell of a way to go out. The album has 13 tracks of Voivod‘s trademark progressive take on thrash, punk and straight up hard rock, injected with the genuine musical intelligence that has typified them for nearly three decades. Yet, as ever, there isn’t a pretentious chord to be heard and opener “God Phones” is borderline dumb from a lyrical standpoint. Were it a band other than Voivod, I’d be sitting here going, “Really? Really?? “God Phones?” That’s how you’re starting your album?” But, you know, it’s Voivod, so I’m not doing that.
Highlights come early and often. Second track “From the Cave” is the first, employing a darker atmosphere than “God Phones” and more aggressive, upbeat drumming from Michel “Away” Langevin. Vocalist Denis “Snake” B?langer appropriately dials back his snarl to match the grooving mood of “A Room with a VU” — at least during the verses — and the track marks yet another instance in which Voivod‘s prog tendencies show through while maintaining a consistency of sound. Nothing they do ever sounds out of place, even unto the swinging punkish jabs of “Treasure Chase” or the looming dark extremity of “Morpheus.” Because their creative scope has always been so open, they’re free to go pretty much wherever they please with these songs.
But still, one can’t help but feel a little sad in listening. It’s like hearing someone’s last words — even if they’re something like, “Hey, could you fluff my pillow?” they’re lent a certain gravity by the simple virtue of being the last thing someone ever said. Piggy thought these riffs were important enough that they outlast him. As closer “Volcano” gives way to a somewhat creepy backwards secret track, the understanding is that that’s it. It’s over. How many bands could put out 15 albums and leave their audience wanting more?
Whether you grab it because you’re a Voivod fan, a curious party or just a downloader on a spree, Infini is bound to be one of metal’s most important releases in 2009. For those who’ve never experienced them before, it’s also a great place to start since it inadvertently sums up so much of what the band was able to accomplish in their 28 years. They were innovators, and if they’re done, they finished that way.
Tags: Gods, Quebec, Relapse, Voivod
