Year: 2020
Total Time: 22:34
Label: Century Media

Canada is one of those countries which despite their big size, they are not known for their big heavy metal scene. One of the exceptions that make this rule valid is of course the historic band VOIVOD who are now coming back on track, after the album “The Wake” from 208 with a new 3 song 12” vinyl only release. However, none of these 3 songs is new. It’s all about a new recording of the track “The End Of Dormancy” as it is more than obvious on the A side, plus this same track and the classic “the Unknown Knows” from the historic album “Nothingface” from 1989.

The thing that interests us of course here is the A side. So, this new version of “The End Of Dormancy” that lasts a little longer than 8 minutes, represents exactly what VOIVOD do for a long time now. They are a band that has moved far away from the heavy metal boundaries and are now experimenting with jazz and fusion while they are also using trompets, saxophones and other similar instruments, creating an “extraterrestrial” result, as they usually do anyway. It’s not their first time, but as it seems there is always something new for them to try and serve to our hungry ears. On the B side the 2 live versions are of course great with some differences from the original versions, but I don’t think I can add something more to that.

I assume that you agree this is a special vinyl only release that is mostly addressed to the die-hard fans of the band and the vinyl collectors, however, since this new recording is also accompanied by a very intriguing video clip, all fans of the so called progressive metal genre sholu give it a try and discover (if not yet) one of those historical bands that was always a few steps forward their time.

Rating:7/10
Editor: Antonis Livanios
Related Link: VOIVOD – Official Page