Lives

by Greg PratoDespite entering their third decade together by the dawn of the new millennium, Canadian metal vets Voivod had yet to issue a live album. But this oversight was corrected with the arrival of Lives in 2000. During the mid-'90s, bassist/vocalist Eric Forrest replaced original frontman Denis "Snake" Belanger, which as a result saw Voivod return to their metallic roots and shy away from the melodic direction of Nothingface and Angel Rat. What you get is an 11-track collection of tracks that spans the group's entire career, from early classics ("Voivod," "Ravenous Medicine") through to the "Forrest era" ("Negatron," "Project X"), with even a surprise cover, Venom's "In League with Satan." While admirers of late-'90s-era Voivod will fine plenty here to sink their teeth into, fans of the group's earlier aforementioned eras may be a bit disappointed (although a rendition of "The Prow" from Angel Rat was included as a bonus on most CDs, as well as another track, the latter-day "Forlorn"). Hopefully someday soon, Voivod will open the vaults and compile a live set that spans the '80s.