VoïVod have always been in a vortex of their own. Never following trends, their progression and approach from debut War And Pain, way back in 1984, made them pioneers of a sound that is instantly recognisable and distinctly unique. I was not ready for the Progressive Thrash style of the band from Quebec back then. 42 years later, and I am still not a massive fan, but I have huge appreciation for their style, approach, and ability to regenerate, to craft and develop to suit their own desires and needs. Few bands have a more determined self-direction.
VoïVod – Symphonique
Release Date: 5 June 2026
Words: Paul Hutchings
With 16 albums under their belts, it is more of a challenge for the band to surprise, but with Symphonique, they have managed to twist out another unique release that will delight both hardcore and less dedicated followers in equal measure.
VoïVod are not the first band to record with an orchestra. Deep Purple’s Concerto For Group And Orchestra is older than me, whilst S&M by Metallica is now 27 years old, Rage’s Lingua Mortis featured the Lingua Mortis Orchestra in 1996.
Two weekends ago, I saw We Lost The Sea deliver Departure Songs with a chamber orchestra. Everyone is at it, so it must be a bit good to stand out.
For me, this record stands alongside Septicflesh’s Infernus Sinfonica MMXIX and Triptykon’s Requiem (live at Roadburn 2019) in the upper live album rankings of modern times.
Symphonique is something special. Few bands’ music works as well alongside orchestral reworkings. This has been described as similar to epic pieces of cinema, and there is a cinematic soundscape that presents with this release. The carefully curated setlist intertwines gloriously with the full orchestra, the Quebec Symphony Orchestra no less, whose sweeping movements enhance the progressive and futuristic sound that VoïVod bring to the table.
Recorded on 4 June 2025 at the Grand Théâtre in Québec City, Canada, this live recording spans the band’s catalogue, although there is emphasis on their earlier works, with nine of the 12 songs coming from the 1984-1989 era.
Opening with the blistering, explosive Experiment from 1988’s Dimension Hatröss, the album is described by Michel ‘Away’ Langevin as “a longtime dream turned reality.”
Over a glorious 76 minutes, VoïVod prove their individuality with arrangements transporting you on a journey through a dystopian soundscape. Cleverly and painstakingly crafted by guitarist Daniel ‘Chewy’ Mongrain and orchestrated by Hugo Begin, several of the tracks are from their earlier works, especially the classic Nothingface and Dimension Hatröss.
This is unsurprising given the classical interests that influenced the band from their early years. At times the combination of orchestral movements and the band is intense. There are sections in The End Of Dormancy, for example, which come straight from a movie soundtrack.
It is genuinely surprising and yet so obvious that the interplay between VoïVod and the orchestra works so well. As Snake bellows “All systems go,” at the start of the first single Forgotten In Space you prepare for a journey, best described by bassist Rocky. “Forgotten In Space transports us to a Mad Max-esque science-fiction universe. Denis ‘Piggy’ D’Amour (founder guitarist who died in 2005) was even inspired by it when composing parts of the original version.
“This incredible symphonic masterpiece, orchestrated by Hugo Begin, offers a powerful orchestral introduction that takes us on a musical journey where the fusion of Metal and classical music invites us to imagine, for six minutes and 27 seconds, that humanity itself may have been forgotten in space.”
To immerse yourself in this release is easy. Trying to listen to anything else is another matter. By the time you get to their now staple cover of Pink Floyd’s Astronomy Domine, which concludes the evening, you will merely be hoping that this incredible show can be brought closer to home.
As Away says, “It’s the closest we’ve ever come to sounding like a dystopian sci-fi movie soundtrack, another dream of ours.”
VoïVod release Symphonique on 5 June 2026 via Century Media Records. Pre-orders are available from voivodband.lnk.to/Symphonique-Live.
Canadian sci-fi Metal innovators VOIVOD have announced a fresh batch of 2026 tour dates, spanning North America and an extensive Summer run across Europe and the UK.
