Morgoth Tales＜限定盤/White Vinyl＞

Quebec-based progressive thrash metallers Voivod issued studio offering Synchro Anarchy in early 2022. They then celebrated 40 years together with a tour and the early-years box set Forgotten in Space, which compiled remastered versions of their first three studio albums (Rrroooaarrr, Killing Technology, Dimension Hatross) with live material and unissued demos. 2023s Morgoth Tales further mines the bands storied past, but as if it were being created in the present. With Voivod delving into their catalog for deep cuts, this set provides fans with a portrait of the bands evolving sound and creative approach, and in doing so serves to enhance, not diminish, their established musical identity. Opener "Condemned to the Gallows" appeared on the Metal Massacre V compilation. The original version offered a muscular hardcore/thrash metal approach, and this one nods squarely at the garage rock influences of the Stooges and the Pagans. The title track from 1987s Dimension Hatross here is less weird. The shard-like, ringing guitar riffs are heard separately as well as in harmonic juxtaposition to the others. Another selection from DH, "Macrosolutions to Megaproblems," is as knotty as the original but also cleaner in production, with a filthy bass groove undergirding the entire architecture. "Pre-Ignition" is one of the minor selections from 1989s controversial Nothingface. Its reinvention transforms it into polyrhythmic, angular prog metal. This version of "Nuage Fractal," from 1991s Angel Rat, adds layers of reverb-laden psychedelia, rhythmic syncopation, and complex harmonies that reflect modern prog metal. "Fix My Heart," originally on 1993s The Outer Limits, exists at the crash-and-burn intersection of trashy garaqe rock and psych. "Rise," from 1997s underrated Phobos, features Eric Forrest on lead vocals (Belanger left between 1994 and 2002); this arrangement relies as much on post-punk as it does vanguard metal. With Belanger on vocals, it far eclipses the original. After leaving Metallica, bassist Jason Newsted joined Voivod, recording an eponymous album with them in 2003. This version of "Rebel Robot" from that date moves the tunes motivic Middle Eastern modal riff into the center, building out each verse-chorus-bridge along that mysterious progression. Voivod began writing in earnest on their 2022 tour, while putting finishing touches on a documentary film and illustrated band memoir. The closing track, "Morgoth Tales," offers knotty, interlocking riffs, abstract guitar harmonics, staggered polyrhythms, and streamlined production boiling inside prog metal. The compact disc version of Morgoth Tales features a cover of Public Images "Home" chosen for its lyrical relevance to the present era. Morgoth Tales sees Voivod remain abundantly creative and capable of offering their musical past and present inside an arresting, innovative futurist aesthetic. ~ Thom Jurek