THE OUTER LIMITS

The Outer Limits represents a progression in Voivod's career. As their ninth studio album, it's the best example of their evolution from punk-thrash metal roots into a more space-rock direction. The result is a cosmic journey, full of atmospheric textures and a sci-fi narrative that pulls you in from the start.

At this point, Voivod was a trio. After bassist Jean-Yves "Blacky" Thériault left following Angel Rat, the band continued with Denis "Snake" Bélanger on vocals, Denis "Piggy" D'Amour on guitar, and Michel "Away" Langevin on drums. In the studio, Snake took over the bass, while session musician Pierre St-Jean contributed both bass and keyboards, adding more depth to the album's sound.

Piggy's guitar work is absolutely amazing on The Outer Limits. His playing blends intricate, progressive rock riffs with a psychedelic, spacey atmosphere. His use of unconventional chords and jazzy textures shines throughout the album, especially on the 17-minute epic "Jack Luminous." Piggy creates a soundscape that feels both futuristic and organic, perfectly matching the sci-fi themes. His guitar tone, with clean and heavy effects, gives tracks like "The Lost Machine" and "We Are Not Alone" an otherworldly feel, while still keeping the intensity of metal.

St-Jean's keyboard work adds to the album's progressive elements, layering cosmic sounds without overshadowing the guitar. The keyboards are used sparingly but effectively, making the album feel more expansive, especially alongside Piggy's soaring guitar.

The Outer Limits was Voivod's most avant-garde record at the time. It wasn't for regular metal fans, but critics and the band's loyal fan base received it well. Tracks like "Fix My Heart" and "Moonbeam Rider" showed a more melodic approach while keeping the band's experimental edge. Another highlight was their cover of Pink Floyd's "Nile Song," which they delivered with such skill that many listeners thought it was a Voivod original. It's one of the best covers ever done by a metal band and showcases their ability to reinterpret a totally underrated song from the British band.

Jack Luminous

Is Voivod's most ambitious tracks. At 17 minutes long, it's a progressive rock epic that combines the band's signature sci-fi storytelling with complex musical structures. The song tells the story of Jack Luminous, a character who opposes an alien race called the Cygnus, who seek to control and dominate the universe. The lyrics depict a dystopian future where the Cygnus have taken control, and Jack Luminous leads a rebellion against them. The narrative unfolds in different sections, using multiple perspectives and shifts in mood to convey the tension between freedom and oppression. The track shifts between atmospheric, psychedelic parts and heavier, more intense sections, keeping the listener engaged throughout its length. Piggy's guitar work plays a huge role in setting the tone, using dissonant chords, intricate riffs, and melodic passages to build a sense of drama.

The band learned a lot after working with Terry Brown on Angel Rat. You can feel the elements and musical atmospheres that they kept from that experience. In my opinion, this is Voivod's best record. It has grown on me over the years and has become one of the essential albums in my collection, no matter the music style.

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