ANGEL RAT

Voivod

Tech/Extreme Prog Metal

3.83 | 182 ratings

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Stoneburner

Voivod Rush

Angel Rat, Voivod's sixth album, stands out as one of their most unique and challenging works. Released in 1991, Angel Rat is a significant album in Voivod's catalog. The record didn't have the immediate impact fans or the band's.

This album marks a shift in Voivod's sound, moving away from their punk-thrash roots into a more laid-back, melodic, and progressive direction. Produced by Terry Brown, known for his work with Rush, Angel Rat takes on a more rock-oriented and atmospheric feel, blending complex time signatures and unusual chords with Snake's melodic vocals. The sound is both catchy and strange, making it hard to fit into any particular genre?too weird for the mainstream and not heavy enough for metal fans at the time.

Tracks like "Panorama" and "Clouds in My House" show off this new style, with a mix of rock riffs and psychedelic lyrics. Guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour explores jazzy chords, while bassist Jean-Yves "Blacky" Th�riault delivers some standout moments, his bass lines reminiscent of Geddy Lee. Drummer Michel Langevin's artwork for the album adds to the eerie, distinct atmosphere Voivod is known for.

Angel Rat is an underrated gem, It's an album that took years for people to fully appreciate, with songs like "The Prow" and "Panorama" still part of Voivod's live set today.

Angel Rat got its name from a combination of the band's fascination with strange, surreal imagery and their shift in musical direction. Voivod often embraced abstract and otherworldly concepts, and the title reflects this. The "angel" could symbolize something ethereal or delicate, while the "rat" might represent something gritty or grounded, creating a contrast that mirrors the album's blend of melodic and progressive sounds with their trademark dissonance.

Stoneburner | 4/5 | 2024-10-6

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