VOIVOD Drummer Michael "Away" Langevin – "We're Back In Prog Rock Mode; We Still Try To Keep It Thrash Metal, Though"

The Edmonton Sun recently caught up with Voivod founding drummer Michael “Away” Langevin, who discussed life after the death of original guitarist Denis “Piggy” D’Amour, who passed away in 2005 from colon cancer. Following is an excerpt from the story:

While the death of a founding member would be cause for some to quit, this was a unique situation. D’Amour had recorded piles of riffs and left the band with instructions on how to use them -essentially ordering the remaining members to carry on.

Voivod made two more albums using material that D’Amour wrote before he died.

“It was really, really tough for everybody,” Langevin says.

“It was tough to get into the studio and not see Piggy (while) hearing him in the headphones.”

D’Amour’s funeral reunited the band with original bassist Jean-Yves “Blacky” Theriault, and the four-piece began touring with new guitarist and Voivod super fan Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain.

The new lineup eventually gained the confidence to make a new album without D’Amour, and 2013’s proggy Target Earth garnered universal acclaim from fans and metal press.

Theriault has since departed, replaced by Dominique Laroche, but the band continues to write and record new material like We Are Connected, a track released last month on a split single with At the Gates.

“We’re back in prog rock mode. Especially the new single, it’s shameless prog rock,” Langevin laughs. “We still try to keep it thrash metal, though. I try to keep the double kick going just so it’s punky. We won’t forget the roots, that’s for sure.”

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Voivod have added two European dates in May to their current tour schedule. The band will perform on May 29th at Primavera Sound in Barcelona, Spain, and on the 31st in Bristol, England. The band’s live itinerary can be found below.

Voivod recently recorded a new song for a split 7” vinyl release with label mates At The Gates.  The collector’s item will be available in stores April 7th and you can check out the song, “We Are Connected” below:

The band are out on a full-length North American tour, with label mates Napalm Death, supporting their most recent album, Target Earth, which was released in January 2013.  

Tour dates:

February
14 – Calgary, AB – Republik
15 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room
17 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theater**
18 – Seattle, WA –  Studio 7 #
19 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater
20 – Oakland, CA – Metro ##
21 – Fresno, CA – Strummers ##
22 – Los Angeles, CA – House Of Blues
23 – Tempe, AZ – Club Red ##
24 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater ##
25 – Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall ##
26 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater ##
27 – Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey ##
28 – Houston, TX – Fitzgerald’s ##

* with Ringworm
** with Dayglo Abortions
# with Theories

May
29 – Primavera Sound – Barcelona, Spain
31 – Temples Festival – Bristol, UK