Album Review: Voivod – Morgöth Tales (Century Media Records)

Canadian sci-fi metal innovators Voivod are celebrating 40 eventful years of existence in 2023 and will release a special anniversary studio album entitled Morgöth Tales, to be released on July 21st, 2023 via Century Media Records.

As well as a brand-new track, Morgöth Tales includes fresh studio (re-)recordings by the band’s current line-up of 9 especially selected, not-so-obvious picks from the band’s hyper-classy and extremely diverse back catalogue (between 1984 and 2003).

Where does the time go? 40 years of Voivod finds the band putting out some of their best music in recent times. They seem to be getting stronger and more refined as they go on, so what better time to revisit some of their extremely assorted back catalogue and re-record them?

Morgöth Tales is more than just fan-service. It’s a showcase of the wild and wonderful world of Voivod over the decades. With a new track, the finale, to make the point that they are still moving forward.

Cursory Voivod fans might struggle to recognise a lot of these re-recorded tracks, but that doesn’t mean it’s long-term fan service only. Far from it, in fact. Morgöth Tales serves as a history lesson and an opportunity to hear some of the unique cuts from the Voivod back catalogue. From the energised head-banger that is Condemned to the Gallows, where Voivod lean into thrashier areas. To the sci-fi extremities and wandering progressive sound of Killing Technology. Or the groovy, weird, and melody-infused rockier number that is Nuage Fractal.

What a difference a few years make. These three tracks taken from releases between 1984 and 1991. It’s still stunning to see just how far ahead Voivod where when compared to what everyone else was doing at each period in time. It’s no secret, but Voivod have always challenged the narrative and always done their own thing. Sometimes it’s worked wonders, other times it’s made them pariahs, but guess who is still standing?

So, how about the title track? The newest Voivod track? It’s a slice of elaborate and enigmatic brilliance that challenges the senses and demands every bit of your attention. Even then, it’s a ‘several listens’ kind of track so you can take all the different tones, tempos, and vibes in. It’s the Voivod way. Expect everything and nothing all at once.

40 years of this band. Lucky us. Long may Voivod continue to baffle and delight in equal measure.

Voivod – Morgöth Tales Track Listing:

1. Condemned To the Gallows (2023 Version) [Originally on Metal Massacre V Compilation – 1984]
2. Thrashing Rage (2023 Version) [Originally on Rrröööaaarrr – 1986]
3. Killing Technology (2023 Version) [Originally on Killing Technology – 1987]
4. Macrosolutions To Megaproblems (2023 Version) [Originally on Dimension Hatröss – 1988]
5. Pre-Ignition (2023 Version) [Originally on Nothingface – 1989]
6. Nuage Fractal (2023 Version) [Originally on Angel Rat – 1991]
7. Fix My Heart (2023 Version) [Originally on The Outer Limits – 1993]
8. Rise (2023 Version, feat. Eric Forrest) [Originally on Phobos – 1997]
9. Rebel Robot (2023 Version, feat. Jason Newsted) [Originally on Voivod – 2003]
10. Morgöth Tales [New Song]

Links

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter