Customer Reviews

Phobos

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album was a great return to form for Voivod. Back to the old school prog/space guitar effects, and progressive chord progressions of Killing Technology/Dimension Hatross, this album was underrated at the time and still is. I say this album is one of their top three, along with the two aforementioned albums (unless one counts Nothingface). I was dissapointed in the self titled album, because it was way too basic compared to the Progressiveness (and also Neurosis influence (or is it the other way around) inherent on this classic release.

I would like to spend the rest of the review to talk about the memory of the great guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'amour. He died friday (August 26th 2005) of colon cancer, and it is a tragic loss of one of the pioneers of progressive and experimental metal. In fact, I wouldn't be playing that type of metal without him. Voivod i had read about growing up, and was dying to hear them as a science fiction and metal fan. I then saw the video for "Astronomy Domine" on the Headbangers Ball in 1990, and was hooked. I proceeded to get into them, and they introduced me (through interviews, covers, and by the music itself) to prog rock and prog metal. Suffice to say I would not be playing that type of music if it weren't for them. My own guitar playing is hugely influenced by Piggy. The strange chords, diminished progressions, and flatted fifth chords I all started playing after hearing Piggy and Voivod. R.I.P and long live the Iron Gang!

VOIVOD-Phobos After the two rock-like outputs "Angel Rat" and "The Outer Limits" VOIVOD finally get back to what they're best at... Following a line-up change (Eric Forrest now on bass and vocals.), they have put out an album crammed with innovative ideas and "deranged" melodies. They even get back to the idea of telling a story with every album. From the intro "Catalepsy 1" to the Bonus track (?) "21st Century Schizoid Man" (Cover version from another famous band,buy the record and find out!),there is not one minute of the drama missing. Check out the track "M-Body":Jason Newsted collaborated. This is definitely a must have!!

Voivod has long been fighting the battle against mainstream metal, with their almost out-of-tune guitar sound and totally far-out concepts. Thanks to the creative force behind the chaos (Away), Voivod still exists today and has returned with an aggressive edge not seen since Dimension Hatross. If you used to be a fan before their turn to spacial-psycho-rock, then grab Phobos (and Negatron), for their thrashy core is back with vengeance. We return to the story of the Voivod, the cybernetic vampire, as he is resurrected and brought back to life by his master, and returns to Earth. The lyrics aren't as wacky and "out there" as when Snake was writing them, but they fit with Eric Forrest's growling and shouting vocals. I have always loved the sound of Piggy's guitar, it's so different and unique. Voivod has, and always will be, hard to classify, but that's what makes them stand out and so excellent.

I was glad to see that Voivod returned to their roots and continued the ongoing saga of "The Voivod". The songs are crunchy and the recording sounds excellent.

I have been a fan of Voivod since Dimension Hatröss in 1987, and Phobos is a return to that psycho-scifi world with all the speed and fury found during that era. Every track is fast-paced and riff-heavy. If you liked Negatron, Phobos is BETTER! This is easily the best disc since Nothingface. If you are a fan, YOU MUST GET THIS DISK. I was surprised to find it here since no US distributor has signed to retail it. Get it, it's worth it!

This album is proof that the great band once known as Voivod has degraded into a farce. The band that once gave us classics like "Dimension Hatross" and "Nothingface" has turned into a typical faceless metal outfit. Sure Piggys weird guitars tunings are intact as well as Aways pounding drums...but Forrest is a joke as a bassist/vocalist. A part of Voivod died when Blacky left...but the final nail in the coffin was the departure of Snake on vocals. Many people like to think of this album ( and Negatron as well ) as a return to the "Killing Technology" days. Not true. That album was innovative in 1987. This album sounds pretty generic. Voivod is dead

Are you tired of the output by some of today's "stoner metal" bands. Looking for something aggressive, yet well conceived? Then look no further! Since their first release in 1984 (War and Pain; Restless/Metal Blade) Voivod's explorations into the darker side of the (sci-fi and otherwise) world and everyday life have intrigued, horrified and provoked listeners. This album is no different. The simplified, rock-oriented approach of this album should make it easier to grasp for first-time listeners. With Eric Forrest on bass and vocals, Voivod makes a nod to their past without being overly contrived or derivative of themselves. (In other words, it's a good step forward for the band.) Many aural and lyrical treats await the listener; some are similar to those heard in prog-rock and jazz-fusion albums of the 1970's by such groups as Emerson, Lake and Palmer and Mahavishnu Orchestra. WARNING: Once you are grabbed by the Voivod, you may not come back to reality! You have been warned!

after the fairly rockin' "negatron", the mighty voivod return to form in a powerful way on "phobos". still utilizing eric forrest on bass/vocals, "phobos" is seriously one of my absolute favorite voivod albums. the guys successfully update their classic spacey prog thrash with subtle neurosis influences, although, as mentioned in an earlier review, it could have been the other way around. eric's vocal contributions are perfect, and i, for one, appreciate the different tone he brought to the band during this phase of their career. i may be in the minority, but i find his vocals on "tribal convictions", "ravenous medicine", and other voivod classics on "voivod lives" to be more powerful than the originals, and i love snake! this is one of their heaviest, most thrilling albums, along with "nothingface", and "killing technology"! and those of you that know voivod, know that's saying something, indeed! RIP, Piggy. you were one of the greats, and you will be missed. we look forward to the forthcoming voivod, in tribute to your passion and innovation!

Some people love it, some people hate it. I was hooked on this album from the first listen. Voivod expands on their sci-fi vibe with these progressive yet heavy songs, which are all connected by vintage synthesizer ambience. These in-between bits give Phobos (named after a moon of Jupiter?) a beautiful flow. The overall production has a rich, lush sound. Piggy and Away are outstanding performers on this album. Very tight playing. Eric Forrest does his best vocals ever here. Although many people, purists they may be, prefer Snake's heavily accented voice, Forrest does a fantastic job of sounding like Snake at some points, then heavying it up for his signature hardcore growl at other points.

Just for the record, and some perspective, my favorite album by VoiVod is Outer Limits. Phobos is a close second. If Phobos came with some 3-D glasses, it might have been a tie for first place.

First Blacky left, then Snake. and Voivod marched on, in many different directions. Now Voivod has absorbed Eric Forrest into its ranks and its finally paying off. After the harsh, everywhere sound of Negaton, the Voivod sound is back to where it belongs - focused to activate the future space of our minds. This album is a huge step forward for the band since Snake's departure and I eagerly await future outings. Its a concept album about the awaking, rise and eventual alienation of the Voivod Anark. Concepts only touched upon in early Voivod albums are fully fleshed out and focused here, making this album almost myth-like in porportions. I'm curious to see how Voivod's songs will be used in the new Heavy Metal movie, the premise of which falls in line perfectly with Voivod's past and current material. My only question is: when is Hollywood going to come calling Away to head up a full-length computer-generated feature film about the Voivod? Until then we will have to use our own imaginations, which are already richly stimulated by the sound of Phobos, Negatron, The Outer Limits, Angel Rat, Nothingface, Dimension Hatross. Killing Technology, Roooooarrrrr and War and Pain