Voivod - Tatsumaki: Japan 2008

Progressive metal that isn’t actually lame

As Dave Grohl points out in the bonus interview on this DVD, there was no band remotely like Canadian prog-thrashers Voivod back in 1985. Dismissed by most as a tinny racket but venerated by the loyal few as a truly unique force at the vanguard of the as-yet-unformed extreme metal scene, the band fused sci-fi imagery with hardcore punk elements to produce a sound that’s hard to categorise even now.

The main show here, recorded in front of a baying Japanese crowd, reveals that Voivod still have as much venom as ever – despite the replacement of the late guitarist Denis “Piggy” D’Amour with a new bloke – and that they’re still willing to mess with people’s expectations, throwing in a cover of Floyd’s Astronomy Domine. Bonus materials include a mini-documentary and more live cuts, as well as the chat with überfan Grohl, who used artwork by drummer Michel “Away” Langevin for his Probot album in 2004.

MVD Visual | MVDV 4843

Reviewed by Joel McIver
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