Voivod - Infini

August 26, 2009

Reviewer: Rottenbucher

On their last album featuring the last remaining recording from the late Piggy, Canadian thrash and rollers Voivod aim for infinity and give us the impressive Infini. Much like Katorz and the self-titled release, Voivod continues relying on the Nothingface formula.

Opening with the catchy "God Phones," the Mach III line-up sounds just as good when they came together in 2002. Of interesting note, the music sounds much gruffer with Jasonic's bass grooves both colliding with and aiding Piggy's riffs while Away lays down the law and Snake snarls on. The pace picks up with the impressive "From the Cave." While just as catchy with the thrash and roll formula, the song features some great middle-section melodies from Piggy. The pulsating "Earthache" suffers a bit from a pretty lame chorus from Snake and a rather choppy midsection where the band seems to lose control of the song. "Global Warning" returns the glory with that trademark spacey riffing, sharp vocals from Snake and uniquely Voivodian delivery and pace. One of the strongest tracks on the disc with is broad spectrum of slick grooves and grinds, Voivod rarely has sounded better.

"A Room with a V.U." slows down the pace and seems a bit mushy compared to the previous track. Jasonic's bass drives the crunchy "Destroy After Reading" and Snake's chorus performance sounds equally aggressive as the early days. The song starts slow before moving into another mid-paced Voivodian adventure. The awkward "Treasure Chase" moves nicely with the pulsating grooves, swirling riffs and a totally spacey solo from Piggy. "Krap Radio" gets weird with its odd structures and gruff vocals. Another gem appears "In Orbit" with its engaging yet rather trance-inducing start; the song turns ears and antennae with the closing wall of combative riffing. The rock n' roll returns with the poppy and slick, almost surf-rock, "Deathproof." Voivod channels the Blues and gets creative with the whacky and abrasive "Pyramidome." The mighty "Morpheus" channels the chaos of Phobos while the closing "Volcano" is the crowning achievement of Infini. Thrash appears and the track's aggressive approach is perfect. Piggy's riffs are rough and gruff, Jasonic's bass growls and Away somehow keeps the song from launching. Snake also brings back that great snarl that has been underused for quite a few years. No, it isn't of the same caliber as the material on War and Pain, but it's the heaviest the Mach III line-up has ever been and will be.

The production Glen Robinson and Newsted is amazing as each instrument is clearly displayed and nicely layered. Jasonic's playing is breathtaking at times and the tone he has in Infini would make long time fans ponder how he channeled Blacky. But the album is another impressive feat as the surviving members again have turned Piggy's final riff collection into another batch of top shelf songs. Infini probably won't win Voivod any new fans, but the disc is stronger in both content and production than Katorz and the self-titled disc. The fan-favorite zany elements and off-kilter riffs underutilized on the previous two discs reappear but there still are enough poppy and rocky moments to still make those looking for another RRRROOOOAAAARRRR groan. However, there is an undeniable fact that right before his death, Piggy laid down a batch of riffs that most players couldn't come up with in career thrice as long. The uniqueness that has placed Voivod in the history of Metal is still intact and Snake, Jasonic and Away performances here have only helped Piggy's final performance be all the more memorable. Infini is essential Voivod for fans of the band and a grand send off to one of Metal's most distinct and distinguished guitarists.

TRACK LISTING

1.  God Phones
2.  From the Cave
3.  Earthache
4.  Global Warning
5.  A Room with a V.U.
6.  Destroy After Reading
7.  Treasure Chase
8.  Krap Radio
9.  In Orbit
10.  Deathproof
11.  Pyramidome
12.  Morpheus
13.  Volcano

Total playing time:  57:57

Release Date: June 12th, 2009
Label: Relapse Records

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