Their 15th album finds the Canadian prog metal god fathers continuing on the path they began with "Target Earth" back in 2013. The riffs winding around varied forms of palm muted tension on a dynamic journey to the center of a cyborg mind. They are true to the sound they began crafting in 1984, though it has shed all the early punk grit. There is more groove than thrashing. That is fine too. The bass sound continues to blend and owes more perhaps to "Nothingface". The angular attack and all the binary you are counting to keep up with it is in play. The chorus tp the title track is brighter and more melodic than expected. Two songs in and I would say it is not as dark as their other albums and everything has a very clean and refined sound. Though for when it came out the same thing could be said of "Nothingface".
"Planet Eaters" is amazing as it could be the original line up. Snake and Away are the only original members piloting this ship, so it is uncanny how the new guys have become a part of their sound. It must be an honor to be a part of this legacy, but they get props in their own right for being able to fill the shoes left behind for them. Piggy has such a distinct sound and was way ahead of his time, so it is much more impressive in that regard. They pick up the pace as "Planet Eaters" and Away does so effortlessly. "Mind Clock" has a dreamy moodiness interjected into the dynamics. They tend not to play these more melodic songs live, but they have surprised me with interesting song choices before. It does dip more into speed metal of sorts midway into the song.
"Sleeves Off" is the first song that conforms to something that sounds like it is form the same planet as the other music on rock radio to some extent. There is still way more weirdness, but it is about as close as they get to what other bands on this planet do. I know some people who are not fans of Snakes voice so it might be an acquired taste I have been listening to this band for 34 years so this is all I know from them. His voice sounds great for what he does. Just when I think "Holographic Thinking" is going to be color by numbers Voivod they rip out a cool riff. I also like the lower notes Snake hits very casually. There is a weird almost jazz like shimmy to "the World Today". Lyrically I have not been paying as much attention to what he is saying as we are living the dystopian dream, they sang about 3 years ago.
They guitar which is not as metallic as some points of their career does have more attack on "Quest For Nothing" the vocals even take on more of a growl in places. Midway into "Memory Failure" it sounds like it will fall along the lines of more stock and trade Voidvod songs, but the melody fits well against the guitar even if they do not introduce any new tricks or sonics it flows well. This is not an album out to win over new fans. It is very Voivod and this is a UFO you are either onboard or not. I will give this one a 10 , the bar has been raised for this year's progressive metal with this one.Being released on Century Media.
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