Voïvod: Symphonique

Voivod’s latest release Symphonique is an ambitious release. It’s a live album featuring a career spanning setlist from the Canadian band, accompanied by the Quebec Symphony Orchestra. The album was recorded live on June 4, 2025 at the Grand Théâtre in Quebec City, and is due for release just over a year later (5th June 2026).

As a long time fan of this band, I absolutely adore this album. Voivod’s atypical and angular guitar riffing never really jumped out to me as the sort of style that would marry well with a symphony orchestra, however listening to this album makes me challenge that view. The arrangements really support and enhance the tracks, adding elements to the songs that didn’t exist before, without taking away any of their heart and soul. Piggy’s old guitar lines often switch from low register riffing to high pitched chords, and the accompaniment with the orchestra really brings the two distinct approaches into focus. The modern era Chewy tracks also sound absolutely massive with the orchestral enhancements and accompaniment.

It’s hard to review an album from a classic Thrash metal band and orchestra without at least acknowledging or comparing it to Metallica’s S&M record. I’d say that the arrangements on this album are more adventurous and expansive than those on S&M. Lots of these songs get underway with the orchestra on their own, foreshadowing the themes of the song, or providing a brass fanfare type prelude to set up the track ahead. Voivods atonal riffing approach that they adopt at times means that there is an almost avantgarde or modern classical orchestral approach to parts of the release which is really cool to hear. This isn’t a cliché orchestra meets metal sound palate.

The album sounds great and the production generally does a great job at presenting the music as I imagine it would have sounded in the room. Both Voivod and the orchestra put in commanding performances throughout the set, and the crowd are obviously very appreciative of the unique opportunity to witness this landmark performance. My favourite tracks are the classic cuts like "Tribal Convictions", "Experiment & Forgotten in Space", but newer tracks like "Holographic Thinking" and "The End of Dormancy" are also absolutely fantastic on here. Pink Floyd cover and closing track "Astronomy Domine" is also worthy of a mention. The set list is truly an exceptionally well curated collection of songs.

This album should be an instant buy for die hard fans of the band, and is certainly worth checking out if you’re a more casual fan too. In some ways the addition of the orchestra makes this album more accessible than a more traditional, straight up, Voivod live album might have been. Strongly recommended

Track listing
01. Experiment
02. Holographic Thinking
3. The Unknown Knows
4. The End Of Dormancy
5. Into My Hypercube
6. Forgotten In Space
7. Cosmic Drama
8. Pre-Igniton
9. Nuclear War
10. Fall
11. Tribal Convictions
12. Astronomy Domine (Pink Floyd cover)

Added: May 12th 2026
Reviewer: Chris Reid
Score:
Related Link: Voivod @ bandcamp
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Language: english

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