Voïvod – Morgöth Tales
Voïvod – Morgöth Tales
Century Media Records
Release Date: 21/07/23
Running Time: 48:49
Review by Paul Hutchings
8/10
2023 marks the 40th anniversary of the Canadian sci-fi metal innovators and having spent time over here just recently to universal acclaim, they now return with “Morgöth Tales”, the follow up to their award winning 15th studio album “Synchro Anarchy”. It’s more than just another album though, for it is comprised of only one new track, with the other nine fresh studio recordings by the current line-up of some choice cuts from the band’s diverse back catalogue from 1984 – 2003.
I made it clear in my review of 2022’s “Synchro Anarchy” that this is a band that I have never managed to absorb in the way that so many have. You can read that review here. But, I was present at Hammersmith Odeon last autumn as Voïvod opened for Opeth and whilst it was the first time I had seen them for several years, they certainly engrossed me for their entire set. “Synchro Anarchy” was an enjoyable release which I still dip into on occasion, but now I was faced with a selection of songs, some of which I understood are not the obvious ones to select. But first, the explanation from drummer Michel “Away” Langevin. “” Morgöth Tales” covers 40 years of space exploration. It was really exciting for us to revisit a more obscure part of the Voïvod catalogue, from thrash-punk to prog-metal. The title track is a new song, which we started writing on the tour bus and hotels during the Opeth European tour in November/ December 2022. It has the vibe of the experimental music we are doing nowadays, with a new twist, I think. We also had the great thrill of getting Eric [Forrest] and Jason [Newsted] involved on this album. I hope you’ll dig it, Chewy, Rocky, Snake and I certainly had a blast recording it. All aboard and ready for take-off!“
Ah yes. There are a couple of unique moments with ex-members Eric Forrest and Jason Newsted returning to play on songs they originally played on. In Newsted’s case, it’s ‘Rebel Robot’ from the eponymous 2003 album whilst Forrest stars on ‘Rise’, which was originally on “Phobos” in 1997.
I’m definitely not qualified to get into the depths that some fans will want for this, and I’m not over familiar with several songs so to ask me to compare with the originals is just impossible. But, having had this album on repeat for over a week, what’ll say now is that Voïvod’s decision on the track listing here is a winner in my book. It’s thoroughly compelling. ‘Killing technology’ is one of the band’s songs I’m familiar with, and it sounds as good to me here as it did back in 1987. Thunderously heavy, ominous in feel, it’s a song that most metal fans should know.
Voïvod are one unique band. The challenging time changes, complex, unorthodox structures and everything that makes the Canadians so revered is evident throughout. From the opening rage of ‘Condemned to the Gallows’ which first appeared on “Metal Massacre V” in 1984, through to the new title track which is a phenomenal and captivatingly complex five-minute work out, “Morgöth Tales” confirms that for these incredible musicians, there is plenty more to come. And who knows, I might be part of that journey.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Condemned To The Gallows (2023 Version) [Originally on Metal Massacre V Compilation, 1984]
02. Thrashing Rage (2023 Version) [Originally on “Rrröööaaarrr”, 1986]
03. Killing Technology (2023 Version) [Originally on “Killing Technology”, 1987]
04. Macrosolutions To Megaproblems (2023 Version) [Originally on “Dimension Hatröss”, 1988]
05. Pre-Ignition (2023 Version) [Originally on “Nothingface”, 1989]
06. Nuage Fractal (2023 Version) [Originally on “Angel Rat”, 1991]
07. Fix My Heart (2023 Version) [Originally on “The Outer Limits”, 1993]
08. Rise (2023 Version, feat. Eric Forrest) [Originally on “Phobos”, 1997]
09. Rebel Robot (2023 Version, feat. Jason Newsted) [Originally on “Voivod”, 2003]
10. Morgöth Tales [New Song]
LINE-UP:
Dominic “Rocky” Laroche – Bass
Michel “Away” Langevin – Drums
Denis “Snake” Bélanger – Vocals
Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain – Guitar
LINKS:
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