Voivod - Nothingface (1989)
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Type.................: Music
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Release Notes
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Voivod - Nothingface
Released: 1989
Label: Mechanic/MCA
Catalog#: MCAD-6326
Voivod on the web --->>> http://www.voivod.com/
Voivod videos on Youtube --->>> http://youtube.com/results?search_query=voivod&search=Search
Performers\Musicians:
Jean-Yves Theriault / bass
Denis d'Amour / guitar
Michel Langevin / drums
Denis Belanger / vocals
Tracklisting:
1. Intro / The Unknown Knows (5:55)
2. Nothingface (4:14)
3. Astronomy Domine (Pink Floyd cover) (5:30)
4. Missing Sequences (5:50)
5. X-Ray Mirror (4:28)
6. Inner Combustion (3:48)
7. Pre-Ignition (5:12)
8. Into My Hypercube (5:04)
9. Sub-Effect (4:30)
Total Time: 44:26
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Info & Review(s)...
From --->>> http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_CD.asp?cd_id=7080#reviews
VOIVOD — Nothingface
Review by Bryan (Bryan Adair)
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog-Metal & Post-Rock Specialist
4 stars Many seem to associate the late 80s with hair metal bands like Poison and Motley Crue (who
released their wildly successful, painfully bad Dr. Feelgood album in 1989, this very same year).
However, for every terrible metal band the 80s gave us, I'd say we got a good one in return.
Metallica was really the pinnacle, but Queensryche, Ozzy Osbourne, and even Hawkwind (who were
gradually getting heavier) were all showing that it was possible to be a respectable 80s metal
artist. Further away from the mainstream, we had artists like Voivod. Despite having been around
since the early 80s, this Canadian thrash outfit hit their peak with 1989's prog-metal opus
Nothingface. With very Rush-esque sci-fi lyrical themes, a style which manages to be extremely
technical while never overdoing it, and even a fantastic cover of Pink Floyd's "Astronomy Domine",
this is what prog-metal should sound like. The songs never reach the 6 minute mark, yet their
constantly changing structures and impressive guitar riffs leave a distinct prog flavour. And those
bothered by metal singers who insist on screaming and growling their way through songs need not
worry, as Denis Belanger's vocal style is surprisingly melodic to the standards of metal at the
time, and his voice never really gets annoying.
All of the 9 tracks on Nothingface are highly enjoyable. While all of them are distinctly
different, they all have a very simmilar feel, giving the album a seamless flow. Highlights include
"The Unknown Knows", which contains a surprisingly infectious chorus and a great rapidly changing
ending. The title track, "X-Ray Mirror" and "Into My Hypercube" also stand out, but none are weak.
"Astronomy Domine" really brings out a heavier aspect in Syd Barrett's classic song while still
maintaining the tripped-out feel that made the original so appealing. It is pretty obvious from
listening to Nothingface that these guys were big on Pink Floyd and Rush, yet they take their
influences to the next level, and translate them into one of the best metal albums, and probably
the best prog album of the 80s. Strongly recommended!
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From --->>> http://www.progreviews.com/reviews/display.php?rev=voi-nf
All progressive-metal listeners that do not have any music by Voivod should, in my opinion, go
right out and find some — starting with Nothingface. This band is one of the greatest the subgenre
has to offer, and has been so for over fifteen years. They are also unfortunately somewhat obscure
compared to the Dream Theaters of the world. Voivod are quirky, catchy, tight, and impossibly
original: a sci-fi prog-metal hybrid. They draw influences from Rush, Pink Floyd, VDGG, King
Crimson, and... Metallica and various other speed-metal bands.
I'll do my best to describe what this sounds like so any interested parties can investigate....to
be short, a metallic version of King Crimson's "Red" or "21st Century Schizoid Man" with (early)
Pink Floyd mixed in. But maybe that's not being fair, since Voivod are so unique. And strangely
enough, Voivod are one of the most energetic and eccentric bands I have ever heard. In terms of
energy, they are quite like Gentle Giant in that they are very hyperactive, dynamic and sometimes
spontaneous. But Voivod is, I think, catchier. Most of the songs mix some really great mellow and
quirky space-rock with manic speed-metal in odd time signatures. They also have a crazy sense of
dynamics: sudden tempo changes or maniacally increasing tempos/pitch, lots of loud-soft and
stop-go-stop dynamics, and so on. The songs are all very catchy, groovy, and the vocalist is
excellent — what a personality! Read the lyrics as well, especially if you're a science fiction
buff.
I realize it's selfish to plug your favorite bands, but I think that these guys have been way
overlooked for too long. This is a band with such a unique musical (and lyrical) personality, such
energy, that I can't help but believe that most prog and metal people would enjoy it. So, check it
out — while it is still in print.
review by Heather Mackenzie
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From --->>> http://www.ssmt-reviews.com/db/searchrev.php?artistID=1210&showReview=true#R2706
Nothingface
1989
Mechanic/MCA
Now this is where Voivod finally pulled out all the stops and solidified their strange sound
progression into an utterly fantastic and unique record the redefined them as a band. Losing the
clinical, impenetrable edge of Dimension Hatross while retaining their knack for coming up with
music that was entirely skew to the rest of the music world, Nothingface provides a listening
experience that is ultimately one of the most rewarding the band would ever create.
The most notable thing about Nothingface is that vocalist Snake had entirely shed his shouting skin
for a much more melodic approach that fit in perfectly with the futuristic sci-fi approach the rest
of the band was doing. Imagine a universe where artificial intelligence is a major factor with
their icy, calculating machine grip. Imagine how cold and perfectly stranded in time and space an
actual human might be in that universe. Now imagine if there were four humans simultaneously
stranded and decided to start a band. That is how Voivod sounds on Nothingface. The guitar sound is
very chromatic and is a tone that very few others have ever used. The rhythm section of Away and
Blacky is utterly phenomenal, with Blacky's bass sound a grinding and sinister undercurrent always
bubbling beneath the rest of the music. The songs are very oddly structured, with a ton of
unexpected twists and turns in the cosmic flow. But most impressively, these changes never lose
sight of the song and don't work against the band at all.
Every song here has something worthy of pointing out, though I favor the straight forward rampage
of "The Unknown Knows" (which was the catchiest song the band had written up to that point) as well
as the kinetic energy of "Into My Hypercube". The band's fascination with Pink Floyd results in a
chilling and dispassionately cold cover of "Astronomy Domine". The entire album is just a wonderful
rollercoaster ride of completely perpendicular metal that is ultimately one of the most satisfying
records of the 80s. There aren't any other records that sound like it and the band themselves would
never quite be able to match it. An absolute masterpiece of a fully unique and thunderingly amazing
band.
Review by John Chedsey
