Target Earth by Voivod

With *Target Earth*, the veteran Canadian thrash metal band Voivod faced the daunting task of replacing its original guitarist, the late Denis D\'Amour. Daniel Mongrain is clearly up to the task, and he does a particularly impressive job on the time-shifting, over-complicated riffing madness of \"Kaleidos\" and the equally intense, compressed craziness of \"Mechanical Mind,\" the album\'s obvious standout. He\'s working overtime here with original bassist Jean-Yves Thériault, who returns for his first Voivod album since 1991\'s *Angel Rat*. Yet it remains to be seen where Mongrain can take the group. *Target Earth* does an excellent job at maintaining the status quo, providing assurance to Voivod\'s fans that the group can keep up with its familiar ways. \"Corps Etranger\" has enough speed to keep the band moving for years ahead. \"Kluskap O\'Kom\" gives Denis Belanger his best vocal showcase and proves that the rhythm section is tuned up and ready for more. \"Empathy for the Enemy\" sets things up perfectly for a power-chord explosion. If this album is a test of sorts, Voivoid passes with flying colors and guitar picks.

Truth be told, Target Earth was a make or break studio album for prog metal veterans Voivod.

9 / 10

If there were any doubts among the faithful about legendary Quebec prog-metal dudes Voivod being able to recapture the magic of their classic era in the absence of deceased guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour, they're shattered within moments of the title track, which opens this album with a classic, dissonant, riff-based adventure through the best of Nothingface, the heaviest of Angel Rat and the most melodic of Dimension Hatross.

8 / 10

Four years have passed since VOIVOD's last album, "Infini", and seven since the tragic demise of guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour, but the Canadian progressive metal institution clearly has no plans of calling it a career. No strangers to adversity, of course, the band has endured numerous lineup cha...

8 / 10

So, it would probably be a fair assumption that if you were considering getting this album, you’re a prior fan of Voivod. And, if you’re a prior fan, the thing on your mind most of all in regards to Target Earth is the absence of guitarist, the late Denis (Piggy) D’Amour. And if that is mostly on yo

4.5 / 5

A review of Voivod - Target Earth, the long-awaited album, available January 21st in Europe and the 22nd in North America via Century Media.

8 / 10

4.0 / 5

Voivod - Target Earth review: Not only have Voivod managed to press on without one of their key songwriters, they've also released one of the best albums of their long career.