Although hard rock and heavy metal existed in Canada before the emergence of Jonquière genre dodgers Voivod, the loudest expulsions of northerly rage still generally belonged to disgruntled ice hockey fans and angry moose. While prog legends Rush had already made a name for themselves and acts like Exciter and Anvil were slowly gaining the attention of metal fans across the world, Voivod were about to take Canadian noise to an entirely new level.
Anyone familiar with progressive thrashers Voivod will be fully aware of the Canadian quartet’s leanings towards the surreal and strange world of science fiction, so the Ultraman EP (Century Media Records), a short-form tribute to cult Japanese TV icon Ultraman, should really come as no surprise.
Thrash. Post-Thrash. Punk. Speed. Sci-Fi. Industrial. Proto-Industrial. Avant Garde. Space. Alternative. Progressive. Nuclear. Some quite frankly preposterously named musical genres and subgenres, but into all of which Canadian act Voivod has been unwillingly pigeon-holed over the years. Having firmly refused to be anchored to any one particular style, the band has actually become a little more settled of late, their current approach now reined all the way back to just including all of the above and a small handful of others.
Following the events of last week that saw Relapse Records drop Tau Cross from the label and pull all their music from DSPs, and the band expressing their disappointment with frontman Rob Miller (Amebix), Miller has now let his feelings be known. Originally reported by Brooklyn Vegan, with posts now removed, Miller has responded to the criticism, has fired drummer Michel “Away” Langevin and guitarist Andy Lefton from the group, encouraging the other members to quit, while vowing to continue on with the band himself. Read Miller’s statements below. We’ll keep updating this surprising and disappointing (Miller) story as it develops.Continue reading
One of the challenges for any band is the creation of a signature sound; that all-important, defining quality which will make them instantly recognizable above all others. The fact that Canadian proggers Voivod have changed their style so many times over the years (they have been labeled Thrash, Speed, Industrial, Sci-fi, and even Nuclear Metal) yet have always managed to retain their unique identity, is a laudable achievement.Continue reading
Celebrating their 35th anniversary in 2018, progressive metal legends Voivod have announced their new album. The Wake will arrive September 21st, via Century Media Records worldwide. The artwork was again created by drummer Michel “Away” Langevin, and can be seen below. New music and pre-orders will be available next week.Continue reading
International punk/metal supergroup Tau Cross is streaming their self titled debut album in its entirety, out May 19, 2015 via Relapse Records here and below.
Comprised of a pedigreed quartet of musicians including Amebix vocalist/bassist Rob “The Baron” Miller, Voivod drummer Michel “Away” Langevin, Misery guitarist Jon Misery, and War//Plague guitarist Andy Lefton, Tau Cross formed in 2013 and recorded their debut album over several months in 2014 throughout three different countries.
International punk/metal supergroup Tau Cross is streaming “Lazarus,” off their upcoming Relapse Records debut out this spring below. Comprised of a pedigree of musicians including Amebix vocalist/bassist Rob “The Baron” Miller, Voivod drummer Michel “Away” Langevin, Misery guitarist Jon Misery and War//Plague guitarist Andy Lefton, Tau Cross formed in 2013 and recorded their debut album over several months in 2014 throughout three different countries.
Swedish melodic death metal pioneers At The Gates will be releasing a split seven inch EP with Voivod on April 6, 2015 via Century Media Records to coincide with their upcoming North American tour with Converge, Pallbearer and Vallenfyre. The Double A Sided EP features the At The Gates bonus track “Language Of The Dead” (from the At War With Reality sessions), while Voivod contributes the new song “We Are Connected,” with artwork created for both bands by Voivod drummer Michel “Away” Langevin.
The 7″ EP will be available in the following limited worldwide editions:
–1,000x copies black vinyl
–500x copies white vinyl
–500x copies transparent red vinyl
AT THE GATES – live 2015
Decibel Tour with North American Tour With Converge, Pallbearer and Vallenfyre
Mar 27: The Wiltern – Los Angeles, CA
Mar 28: The Regency Ballroom – San Francisco, CA
Mar 29: Roseland Theater – Portland, OR
Mar 30: Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, BC
Mar 31: Showbox at the Market – Seattle, WA
Apr 02: The Complex – Salt Lake City, UT
Apr 03: Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO
Apr 04: Bourbon Street – Lincoln, NE
Apr 05: Mill City Nights – Minneapolis, MN
Apr 06: House of Blues – Chicago, IL
Apr 08: The Phoenix – Toronto, ON
Apr 09: Metropolis – Montreal, QC
Apr 10: Royale – Boston, MA
Apr 11: Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA
Apr 12: Webster Hall – New York, NY
May 01: Ritz – Örebro (SW) (With Tribulation)
May 02: Pipeline – Sundsvall (SW) (With Tribulation)
May 22: Progresja – Warszawa (PL)
May 23: Studio – Kraków (PL)
May 29: The Mercury Live – Cape Town (South Africa)
May 30: Carfax Club – Johannesburg (South Africa)
Jun. 16: Ippodromo Capannelle – Rome (IT) (with Slipknot)
Jun. 19: Copenhell Festival – Copenhagen (DK)
Jun 20: Graspop Metal Meeting – Dessel (BE)
Jun 21: Hellfest – Clisson (France)
Jul 03: Siestafestivalen – Hassleholm (Sweden)
Jul 16: Kingdom of Hegyalja Festival – Tokaj (HU)
Jul 18: G! Festival – Syðrugøta, Faroe Islands
Jul 31: Wacken Open Air – Wacken (DE)
Aug 06: Getaway Rock Festival – Gävle (SW)
Aug 08: Brutal Assault Festival – Jaromer (CZ)
Aug 15: Rockstadt Extreme Fest – Cetatea Rasnov (RO)
Sept. 04: Teatro Metropol – Bogotá (COL)
Sept. 18: Liseberg – Gothenburg (SW)
Nov. 07: Damnation Festival – Leeds (UK)
At The Gates on Facebook
At The Gates on Twitter
At The Gates on YouTube
International punk/metal supergroup Tau Cross will be releasing their debut record in late Spring via Relapse Records.
Comprised of a pedigree of musicians including Amebix vocalist/bassist Rob “The Baron” Miller, Voivod drummer Michel “Away” Langevin, Misery guitarist Jon Misery and War//Plague guitarist Andy Lefton, Tau Cross formed in 2013 and recorded their debut album over several months in 2014 throughout three different countries.
Rob Miller commented on the project saying,
“We decided to let the songs form themselves around the original demos and allow people to bring themselves into the mix, to allow the bark to grow around the tree. We are all very proud of what we have achieved in this short time and looking forward to working together again as soon as time allows.”
“TAU CROSS will be playing live over the coming year, we hope to Tour in the U.S and Europe, it is still early days but i feel this is going to be an intense live experience.”