 voice once again on this show, the man away Michel. How's it going from away from Voivod from away from Voivod. Yeah. And also from away because I just returned from Europe with Voivod and I'm still in two between two zones, but all good. It takes a little time to recover with the the time zones, right? It takes a little bit of time. Yes. It's just that it was a seven weeks long tour where we started with USA and then flew from Atlanta to Frankfurt and kept going for four weeks in Europe with Testament and big festivals and all that. So it's very intense. Probably close to 40 shows in seven weeks or I can't recall, but maybe 15 countries. I was really excited. I was excited for you guys. Have you ever played with Exodus or sorry Testament before? Yes, we did. We we played in Santa Monica in San Francisco in 89. We when we reformed in 2008, they invited us to play two nights in Tokyo, which was great. And we keep crossing paths at festivals as well as well. But this offer to tour with them across Europe was just like a dream come true. You know, it's the clubs were packed and sold tons of merch and yeah, great times. You guys, you know, you played with opeth, you open for opeth, right? Yeah, you played with Testament and Exodus was supposed to be there, but they weren't right. I mean, is Voivod, it seems like Voivod is getting bigger as time is going on? Yes, we are. We actually getting momentum and they are a few generations coming to the show. So we packed the clubs and we get invited to open for prestigious bands and very great venues also play big festivals like Hellfest and Walken. And so yeah, it's a great moment for us. And and also it's strange because we are playing. We went back to the intricate prog rock and we are winning Junos. So it's we just it's a it gives us confidence, you know, you know what I like about Voivod and I always loved about the band is you're always going this way where everybody else is going that way. And it's refreshing, you know, like all the other bands, it's the same sound, it's always the same sound. But you guys, it's always different. It's always experimental. And it's refreshing to see somebody doing something else. Yeah, we tried to since you know, well, first of all, Chewie is a great composer. He can also write charts for a brass quintet like at the Jazz Festival in Montreal or a string quartet like on the album The Wake. And so that's that's really a plus. So we can explore other avenues. And like I said earlier, people embrace it. And so it gives us the indication that we are on the right path with this fusion metal thing that we're doing these days. But of course, Snake and I being the old school originals, we will always keep the punk trash metal ingredients into the mix, I'm sure. Yeah, yeah. All right, good news. Voivod will celebrate 40 years of existence with a special anniversary studio album called Morgoth Tales. It's going to be released on July 21st on Century Media Records, July 21st being my birthday. That's nice. Condemned to the gallows, which was the demo back in the day that broke you guys or started things off, that will be re-recorded. So it's an album of re-recordings plus a new song, right? Yes. Tell me about a condemn to the gallows and how that tape found it's into the hands of Brian Slegel back in the day. It was through Wayne Archibald. No, Wayne. Yeah, good friends from Northern Quebec, where we grew up in Jean-Claire. He was a tape trader and introduced us to early demos of all the heavy metal bands you could think of, you know, and it was unbelievable what he could share with us. So he sent the early demos to various labels, including Metal Blade. He was a pen pal to everybody, and so that got us a deal to be part of Metal Massacre 5. So we recorded Condemned to the Gallows with no budget. So it was like one day I had to use the small drum kit they had there. But it had a great reaction on Metal Massacre 5. And by the time Metal Massacre 5 came out, we had done more demos and Brian Slegel was really into having us recording a first album. But the introducing card was Condemned to the Gallows and we really wanted to re-record it for this release, but we didn't have the lyrics. It was non-existent online. There were no lyrics sheet in the vinyl back then. And we tried to isolate vocals with AI and it sounded like an alien language. And then Snake phoned his sister and she went to his mother's place and found the lyrics written on a school paper 40 years later, where she found it unbelievable. She said it took two minutes. It was classified in a folder and great stuff. So the Snake sister sent us the cellphone photo of the lyrics and we were able to do it like a miracle. That's pretty funny, man. Morgoth, tell me about the the name significance of that so the people who don't know about it? It's what it's actually more than 40 years ago. The origin of that is when I was a teenager and I discovered the Heavy Metal Magazine comic book with Bilal, Philippe Drouillet, Moebius, all great artists. I wanted to imitate and so I created a world for my comics. That's what I wanted to do of the Voivode, some sort of vampire guarding a planet called Morgoth. So it both it was influenced by a Grand Stalker from Dracula, also Lord of the Rings, Tolkien. But as the 70s were moving towards the 80s, I became more aware of nuclear stockpiles around the planet and the Cold War. So the concept took a post-apocalyptic turn. And by the time in January 83, when we're trying to find a name for the band, and I mentioned Voivode, and the guys were intrigued. And they first asked me how I spelled it. And then I explained the concept behind it. And they really got into developing it with lyrics, visuals, music, and we did that all through the 80s. And so that's the origin of Morgoth, which represents Jean-Claire, where we grew up really. And for the Morgoth title, it's actually when we toured with Opeth in November and December, we had in Switzerland in Zurich the surprise visit of Tom Warrior. And we had a good four soundcheck and we had a great chat from when we were touring together in 86 in USA and all that crazy stuff. And we took a photo and Opeth published the photo online and somebody wrote under the photo, Morgoth tells a salute to Morbith, the famous EP from Celtic Frost. And I thought it was a great title. I was amazed. I didn't think about it. I can't recall who wrote that, but he deserves a salute. And I actually wrote to Tom to warn that we would call the new album Morgoth Tales. But it's sort of paying homage really. And also there's a song, the new song Morgoth Tales as well. Right. We really wanted the thing to be from 83 to 2023. And so we thought, let's write a song. And we wrote it during the tour in Opeth in November and December in Europe. It's really where we built the project where we picked the songs. And we went for the more obscure side of Boivad. Instead of the old hits, you know, that we play all the time. And it allowed us to refresh the set list for this year's 40th anniversary touring. So people are really happy to hear new age fractal pre ignition macro solutions. And when the album comes out, we will add more of that obscure stuff on the set list. Did you record like more than these songs? I'm assuming you recorded a lot more of the older stuff, re recorded a lot of the older material. And then you chose these songs? Or was it just? No, we just picked like a bunch of songs that would fit onto one vinyl. And then we decided to add a bonus track for the CD. It's a cover of PIL called home. And we, we wanted to do a PIL cover. But it's really when we read the lyrics of that song that we understood it was the proper one, because it's really really relevant. It's like talking about what's going on right now. So, so anyhow, it's Johnny Rotten has always been a hero for sneak and eye in particular. We decided and we went to for a song from the album called album because Steve Vai is playing on this album and even like Tony Williams and Ginger Baker and you know, so it's actually my favorite PIL album. Okay, cool. Rebel robot. Now you have Jason Neustead. That was the album that was just simply entitled Voivod. That was the album that Jason Neustead played on. And it was released, I believe on his label. Was that is that correct? Yeah, yeah, chop house. Chop house. That's what it was. Yes. I mean, how did that work that Jason go look I'm joining the band, but I want you guys to also be part of my label. What happened back then? Well, what happened was we at this point had split the band at we'd say at the end of 2000 or so and then but a year maybe a little bit more than a year later, we began I got antsy and checked out with Snake if you wanted to join the band again and we had a meeting at Piggy's place where he showed up with the recording of his vocals for the pro bot project from Dave Grohl. So he immediately realized he still had a very good sense of melody and the voice was there. So and we thought let's phone Jason and I phone Jason because we had done so many recordings with him in the past as Tara T R R A T and he immediately got excited and ended up joining the band, you know, but the funny thing is when I found him to be a guest basis on the album, basically, he said, how do you know? How did you know? I said, what? He said, I just left Metallica. It was just very strange coincidence. And so he really got into it where he had the band to get a very good spotlight because at the same time, he joined the Aussie band. And, yeah, and Sharon asked Jason if Voiva could open for Aussie. So it was a pretty crazy year where he played two shows a day for like months. And at this point, Aussie wanted to beat Paul McCartney's record of more than three hours set list. So it's pretty insane. Jason is a warrior. He jumped on stage with us last month in Fort Lauderdale to play rebel robot and the song Voiva and Eric for us came on stage with us recently at Hellfest to sing rise. So happy family like Snake says. Oh, rebel robot. But it was on Chophouse, right? It was on it was that was the only also a label called surf dog, which was part of Jason's management as well. And we're looking into re-releasing. That's what I was getting into. That's what I was getting into. Yeah, we secured the rights. And it's just that this year, with the mortgage tells release, and also the 35th anniversary of dimension hat trust is a vinyl on noise coming out. And also, the auto limits on 3D vinyl with glasses for the 30th anniversary and all that. So we're always moving forward. And I think we'll save this reissue of the self titled album for next year. Yeah, yeah, I think that's great. Here's the Japanese version of outer limits right there. Yeah, and it's the 3D treatment was only done on CDs. And but it's the first time that it's going to come out on vinyl with the 3D treatment and the glasses and on listenable records, a label from France. Yeah, also good news, like you said before, eForce, you know, he sings on rise. I mean, they're just what an album. So you have Jason, who said you have eForce. Tell me about, you know, a rise from Eric, Eric Forrest, his his contribution on the album. Yeah, I mean, at first, you know, we thought, okay, maybe we can do a song from every album. But it's crazy. We have too many. And then, once we decided to shrink it to a vinyl, we thought, at least let's play all the periods of boivard. And, and it was during the November, December Opeth tour again, that I got in touch with Jason and Eric, they both got really excited. And we had to do it separately in respective studios, of course. But the result is really great. And I mean, the whole album, you can really see the progression, because we did it in chronological order. And, and plus, we again, wrote a song on tour for this album to show what we are now. And so in January, when we came into the studio, it was such a thrill, but a huge challenge for me. I remember on a bus between Montreal and Victoria, going to the studio, Radicar Studio, and being very nervous, because some of the songs are really challenging. And we wanted to wing these in a complete take, not necessarily take one, but at least a full take. So the vibe is all there. But when you have to sort of relearn macro solutions to make a problem or pre ignition, it's going to challenge. But it went, it went super smoothly, I must say. What about re-releasing a Fobos and Negatron, the E4 Sierra? Is that, is there plans for that? Well, it's, I think there was talk about that a long time ago. Well, it's, it's, it's available on CD. And they also made a double vinyl with Negatron and Fobos, but they had to skip songs. So some fans are not too happy about it. So I'm sure, like a full on vinyl of both albums will be a great, a great addition to people's connection. But also, if we were to do a box set, it would be really great as well. Because there is a last album that we have demos for that I could include in there. What about the documentary? What stage are you at now? Oh, we, it's near completion, really, just a few editing there and there. And I'm sure it's going to be out next year sometime and same with the book by Jeff Wagner. And the problem, the problem we ran into is there were a lot of into face to face interviews to be done. And they were really slowed down during the pandemic. And all the interviews are done for both the book and the movie. And yeah, I think next year, I'm pretty sure both will come out. You got a lot of stuff going on. A lot of things going. It's crazy. Any given time, you know, working, we're working on Voiva Daily. And, and also we have a crazy touring schedule for this album, where, you know, we went in UK in April and ended up in London opening for Hawk when imagine that was amazing. And also across USA in May across Europe in June, then we have also in July shows in the province of Quebec, but also in August, we returned to festivals in Europe and Scandinavian shows. And then September, more festivals in Quebec and a festival in Brazil. But I think in October, November, December and January, we might be able to write a new album, hopefully. Have you written any ideas down? Are you assembling? Yeah, it's fun, because when we did the Synchronarchy album, we all learned to sync with Logic Pro. And of course, I have to program the drums for the demos. But so we started on the last tour we just did on the road, writing some ideas on our computers. Okay, cool. What did Rocky and Chewie bring to the old songs that, you know, on this new album, this new studio album with re-recorded songs? What did they bring that maybe brought the songs up a level, you know, just a little bit higher? Well, I'm not sure. It's hard to say. It's, it's sometimes it's risky to say, oh, it's better, higher. What I can say is the sound we have now is very tech metal surgical. And so that's a bit different from the rawness and urgency of the early material, of course. And but I think the main difference is the sound. And we've found a way with Francis Perron at Radicard to get the sound that we really want, where everything is clear. And you can hear every single time hit and picking and, you know, and also try to have great layers of music that makes it the psychedelic metal that we want to play, you know. And so in terms of, it's a great sounding album, Margot tells, but you know, the, the, the challenge is not to recapture the youthful energy and all that, it's just to do, give the people our impression of these songs now. And again, like I was saying earlier, it's really allowed me to see the progression of the band through the years, when I had to record these songs. And it's almost like when the compilation came out, the noise years, and it's 86 to 88. And from the first song of raw to the last song of dimension had trust within two years, I was impressed of how we progressed. And so, yeah, it's, well, actually, it's always a work in progress. And it's not like ACDZ every song, as I said. How has okay, so I see that the world is finally caught up to Voivod because AI is now in music, right? Everybody's connected. Well, I mean, you know, it's again, it's technology, I will always try to use it as much as I can. I've been for my visuals and all that. And like AI videos, it's, I'm jealous because it would take me 3000 years to do it frame by frame. And so but one I'm most afraid of really is AI controlling high tech weaponry. That's, you know, my main fear. And it's funny, because in the 70s, as a kid, I saw a movie called Colossus about that, about a giant supercomputer in USA teaming up with a giant supercomputer in Russia, they take control of the nuclear weapons and enslave humanity. And so, like you said, sci fi has caught up with Voivod full time, you know, well, I mean, what's happening now is they're going to start using AI for weaponry, like you said, yeah, so they'll they'll launch the AI will launch the missile, just to be as quick to catch up to the other countries launch of the missile, right? So that's where things get scary, you know, who knows what's gonna happen might as well enjoy it right now. And it but you know, with the man, it's funny because when I came back to Montreal in the smog of the forest fires, it's because of climate changes and all that. So it's like a recurring nightmare where back in the 80s, we talked about ozone layer. And now we talk about global warming and, you know, and the same with, you know, at one point, we were talking on kinectology, we're talking about Chernobyl, but all of a sudden it's Fukushima and now it's Zaporizhya in Ukraine, you know, so it's always the same nightmare. But I can only be a happy fellow and create and do art and music and travel the world before it's too late. And we're just happy. Look at this way, it gives you good song ideas. Oh, yeah, yeah, problems. There are too many ideas these days. And I know what you mean. And you don't even have to like on Syncruararchy. We didn't even have to try to predict 20 years down the road like we did in the 80s. We just picked what was going on while we were writing the album with the pandemic and all that. And so now we just the projects are coming at you know, another 10 albums right there. You're good. Yeah. Is there anything you want to plug before I let you go? I'm trying to think about like, oh man, I mean, you know, aside from the crazy touring schedule, which is great. Morgan's album. We have a couple of videos coming also as well. Michelle, would you have when you were 20 years old, would you have predicted you'd be still in Voivod playing music and playing around the world? No, I celebrated my 60th birthday in Lyon. When we opened for Testament, and they brought me a cake on stage with this with the candles and everything. And I was thinking, man, who would have known? I, you know, it's when Warren Payne came out that I had the famous supper where I told my parents I want to quit university science for my heavy metal band. But I, the Warren Payne album had a pretty good impact in what was going to become trash metal. So I was confident with, I could have a musical career. Yep. And I'm really proud of this album. And, but I had no idea that 40 years down the road, we would play in front of many generations of people into Voivod. And, and it's what always brings me back to music is the travels, playing Voivod music around the globe and meeting my old friends and new friends. And it's just amazing. It's very addictive. And that's why I like to draw my day after every show to remember after that, it's like a journal and after that, I can see the drawing and remember the sculptures I saw during the day and what happened. And so this is 40 years of amazing travels. And it's not over, you know, because we are in demand right now and getting already getting offers for next year. So great times. Do you do like, are you amazed, like you're in some place in the world that's so remote? And you're like, my God, they're listening to my music here. These people are listening to our music is, is it shocking? Oh, yeah, it's, it's surprising. And I know that we there are places where we need to go like India, you know, where there are, there are a lot of Voivod fans there and Indonesia. And so we still need to explore. And but it's like when I first was able to go in Eastern Europe and realize there were tons of Voivod fans in Czech Republic and Poland and everywhere, you know, Hungary. And so I'm still amazed when we play a very remote place. And there are a lot of people in the club yelling Voivod, you know, it's great. I think the loudest I've heard was in Moscow, where they really know how to yell Voivod there. They probably know the lyrics to condemn to the gallows where you guys had problems remembering the lyrics. Yeah, they were able to decipher it. And, and, and they started about 20 minutes before going on stage, we were backstage, like kind of getting nervous. They're gonna be a riot or pretty cool stuff. Well, I'm happy for you guys. Voivod, the new album, Morgoth Tales to be released on July 21, my birthday on Century Media Records. And always a pleasure to have you away on the show. You know, I look forward to a see you guys play live. Thanks for having me and see you soon on the road somewhere.