DIMENSION HATROSS

The flower that is Progressive metal was in its first full bloom in 1988. Its petals many different colors and textures. One of the more unique petals reached out from Quebec in the form of Sci-fi/comic book-esque thrash metallers Voivod. After a decided shift in their approach to thrash metal to a more unorthodox thematic and stylistic production with Killing Technology, the predecessor to Dimension Hatross, the latter takes the change to the next level with a full-fledged sci-fi concept album.

Thrash metal had already reached its crest by this time. The predominant style was obviously fast, heavy and with the standard of root/5th power chords. Guitarist Dennis "Piggy" D'amour made a name for himself by leaving the power chords behind for a lowered 5th that created a dissonant, almost RIO texture to his guitar work. This helped enforce the spacey sci-fi themes that were incorporated into Killing Technology and would define the sound of Dimension Hatross. Coupled with the unmistakably punky thrash grinding rhythms and the grouchy overdriven bass of Jean- Yves "Blacky" Thériault, the sound was rolling thunder. This was a perfect fit for the conceptual theme of a microspopic universe created in a particle accelerator, a profoundly deep concept for a band born of a genre that was better known at the time for its pentagrams and painted witch faces. The story itself is formatted in a classic screenplay style with quality scene setting, character development, protagonist/antagonist, conflict and resolution. Each movement of the concept calculated with music that uniquely conveyed the scene.

Voivod is a band that has had its ups and downs. But it is undeniable that they took thrash metal in a direction it had not gone and created yet another path for prog metal with Dimension Hatross. And they did it without an opulent budget. This is one of the true originals of the sub-genre and a genuine masterpiece. 5 stars.