Whilst focus across the pond is on the incredible return of the best band Canada has ever produced, and rightly so, another legendary outfit from the same country hits the UK for a series of shows. VoïVod have always been a leader in their field, and similar to Rush, follow no pathway. They are rightly considered out front and on their own.
VoïVod – Midnight – Cryptosis
Thekla, Bristol – 10 June 2026
Words And Photography: Paul Hutchings
Although they have a new album to promote, tonight sees the packed audience of diehards on the always slightly unnerving boat in the East Mud Dock, revelling in a journey primarily from the earlier years of the band.
To that end, most of what we get is the aggressive Thrash-tinged style from the first few albums. Apart from Obsolete Beings from 2018’s The Wake, this is a setlist for the purists with tracks from Nothingface, Dimension Hatröss, Killing Technology and debut War And Pain all featuring.
With the audience still catching breath after the ferocity of Midnight’s onslaught, there is slightly less action on the floor. But that does not prevent the odd swirling pit, whilst most fans are content to sing along with the band as they powered through Experiment, Tribal Convictions and Korgüll the Exterminator in a battering ram opening aural assault.
Chewy, Rocky and Away take the stage to a hero’s welcome, kicking into Experiment ahead of the lurching arrival of Snake, whose leering grins surely unnerve those who are experiencing the band for the first time. He is enigmatic and, like his bandmates, is approaching the veteran stage.
That does not stop his maniacal edge, a cross between an unhinged yet friendly uncle and a madman whose behaviour is completely unpredictable. As it is, he is on great form, vocally and interactively, all evening.
Chewy is on fire, delivering the hottest of riffs and screaming lead breaks whilst Away and Rocky anchor everything. Away’s drumming is mesmeric, effortless despite the sheer pounding that he dishes out.
It is an intense barrage but underpinned by their unique blend of Progressive Thrash and Technical Metal, which has always set VoïVod apart. Tornado leads to War And Pain, and suddenly we are on the Floyd cover Astronomy Domine.
It is a whirlwind of a set, close to 60 minutes but blisteringly fast. VoïVod finishes things off, the crowd are gasping but happy as their heroes march off the stage.
Everyone should see VoïVod once in their life. They are a force of nature. I am hoping that Symphonique can be brought to the UK for us to experience. Until then, there is a warm glow where another of Canada’s most exquisite bands has warmed.
Midnight
They may not recall having played Bristol before, but the one-man project Midnight have sandblasted this fair city in recent times with a savage show supporting Night Demon at the Exchange, a stone’s throw from Thekla.
Having morphed into a more cohesive unit, this was one savage beasting.
There is little let-up over a 55-minute set that rages with an intensity that is matched by the pit monsters. Tonight it seems Bristol has unleashed only the biggest as the pit rocks to many kilos of flesh crashing into more kilos of flesh.
It is unsurprising. Midnight’s visceral assault on Blackened Thrash is relentless. Underneath the masks sit/stand some talented musicians, whose blistering attack punishes.
They power through a set drawn from across their discography, jumping, spinning and kicking. Being in the front row, there is a degree of danger as Athenar kicks out on several occasions, causing not just me to duck.
Guttural roars and throbbing bass lines work alongside his drummer who is shrouded in swirling dry ice for the show. Bass, drums and guitar, that is the sum of the parts, and the band really does not need anything else.
By the time they get to the Black Ax cover T.A.P. it is a home win for the band, who disappear with distortion ringing and a front row who have fist bumped the entire band. Ferocious, fast and essential. That is Midnight.
Cryptosis
Rebranded in 2020 from an average Thrash outfit (Distillator), Cryptosis completely revamped their sound and style. Bionic Swarm was a superb debut, whilst 2025’s Celestial Swarm maintained the progression. Tonight, they have a limited opportunity to show their worth.
The challenges of IT are many, and getting the band’s intro to run smoothly is not happening. They do not fuss, though, and within minutes, the band from the Netherlands are launching into a short set that displays promise.
Cryptosis are still a bit clunky, and Laurens Houvast’s inter-song delivery is a bit clichéd, but otherwise, there is much to like with this band.
They have improved since their last show here supporting Vektor in 2022, and with the slowly growing crowd nodding along, it will not be long before the band are back in these parts again.
