This month has been a busy one for gigs in Glasgow. When I saw Voivod were coming back and it’s their 40th anniversary I knew I wanted to go. Having seen them a few times I knew it would be a good show and maybe this one would be special given the occasion. Support band Cryptic Shift also piqued my curiosity having heard of the band, checked them out a few times but not really paid attention.
When Cryptic Shift take to the stage, their music definitely grabs my full attention this time. The band bring their own brand of Phenomenal Technocological Astrodeath and it’s awesome. The songs can be lengthy though not detrimentally, each feeling like more of a surreal space journey that’s easy to get lost in, especially when watching the band live. Songs like “Cosmic Dreams” give a slightly more straightforward approach to each riff from the blasting bookends to the varying mid-section which is a journey in itself, weaving through melodic ideas to the blackened conclusion before the crushing death returns.
What’s entrancing is watching the band nail all of these different sections of technical death metal, often using tapping and harmonics so effortlessly, especially while frontman Xander Bradley is growling and bassist John Riley is playing using his fingers. Songs in the set from Cryptic Shift’s last album Visitations from Enceladus such as “The Arctic Chasm” are a beast of their own. More progressive in nature with complex rhythms, dissonances both harsh and haunting, eerie clean sections and wild solos. The music could be a challenging listen for some but watching Cryptic Shift’s fretboard skills is something any could appreciate. I feel like I’m seeing techniques on guitar and bass I’ve not seen before and it’s rather inspiring.
Before we know it, the show is over and I immediately rush to the merch table to pick up one of Cryptic Shift’s cassettes. It’s safe to say I’ll be keeping an eye and ear on them, and I’d definitely recommend you do too!
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Of course anticipation is building for Voivod, resulting in rapturous applause when the familiar beeps and Dalek-esque “WE ARE CONNECTED!” fills the air. Snake gets the “Hey! Ho! Glasgow!” chant going before the Québécois quadruple threat launch straight into the old-skool with “Thrashing Rage”. It’s clear the band live to play live, with Snake and Chewy’s expression being either a beaming smile or a funny face – the only exception being when Snake steals a front row fan’s homemade Voivod character mask.
The band’s positive vibe is infectious with a good feeling uniting the Iron Gang through newer numbers like “Synchro Anarchy” and classic cuts like “Macrosolutions to Megaproblems”. Heads are banging throughout the room both solo and among clusters of friends as Voivod rock out onstage, Away particularly lost in the music as his head sways in all directions while he batters the drum kit. The set is composed mostly of songs from the band’s upcoming 40th anniversary re-recordings album Morgoth Tales, with a few recent tracks mixed in. The (ahem) rrroooaaarrrs are rapturous between airings of deep cuts like “Rise”, “Rebel Robot” and “Nuage Fractal” – potentially making its performance debut, Snake tells the crowd, as he’s unsure if Voivod played it live back in the day.
For most of the show I’ve been blissfully unaware of my surroundings while vibing with the band though looking round near the end of the set, there’s more moshing going on. Snake initiates a clap-along to the pounding drum intro to penultimate banger “Fix My Heart” before the pit opens up for Voivod’s namesake number. A fun final blast of energy and noise onstage and on the floor.
Voivod never fail to put on a fun show, radiating positivity when they hit the stage. Experts at their craft, every song is nailed with ease and performed with infectious joy. It’s been clear before that Voivod love what they do and live to play live, and this gig is no different.
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Voivod: official | facebook | twitter | instagram | spotify
Cryptic Shift: facebook | twitter | instagram | bandcamp | spotify | youtube | bigcartel