VOIVOD LIVES

"Voivod Lives" is a decent live album (or can be considered as a live compilation) from the chaotic Canadian prog/thrash gods. The first four songs were recorded at the famous Dynamo Festival in '96, the other songs come from the legendary underground club CGBG's in New York. Some editions contain two bonus tracks recorded in '99, Sweden. It means that the emphasis is on the "Negatron" album and the Eric Forrest era.

The Dynamo songs are great, better sound and better songs, regrettably the audience is hardly audible. Good to hear great legendary songs such as 'Tribal Convictions' from "Dimenson Hatross" or 'Nuclear War' from the first album, these are the highlights for me. The sound of the CBGG's songs is quite noisy and messy and the song selection is not the best. I like about the half of "Negatron", but songs like 'Planet Hell' or the title track are not among the good ones. The two bonus tracks bring back old memories; I saw them on the same "Phobos" tour they were rcorded and I really enjoy hearing 'The Prow' and 'Forlorn'. All in all, it's a decent live compilation from Voivod, no more no less, but I prefer their earlier albums.

6.5/10