REVIEW: Voivod - Symphonique

Progressive metal legends VOIVOD are unleashing a symphony of chaos with QUEBEC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA on this latest live release. VOIVOD are musically dense and complex, but the addition of an orchestra will make listeners truly understand how layered their music can be. As a live album it will not create any new fans, but it can give a new level of appreciation to VOIVOD's songwriting craft. The band sound as heavy as ever with a new found cinematic energy which takes them close to symphonic bands such as MAGMA. They are one of the few prog metal bands that keep a foot wholly in metal and wholly in prog without diluting either genre.

As a track listing it does feel like a best of the band, but they are not the definitive version of songs. They are great versions and worth owning for a fan, but they don’t replace the original. The sci-fi nature of the band shine through and the band manage to make a soundtrack to the best film that never existed. For a band that has been around for 42 years they still sound as genre breaking as ever. At points it feels surprising that this is a live release and not a studio outing as the orchestra and band become so in sync they create a cohesive punch of prog metal. The recording quality is clear and definitive which makes the live album a worthy asset in a fan’s collection without being pointless. Often orchestral gigs can feel gimmicky, and the orchestra feels out of place but the addition of an orchestra with VOIVOD only adds to the power of the band in a live setting.

The band’s entire dedication to their sound shines through in everything they create, their sound is wholly their own. As this is a live release there is little to hide behind and the band are on full show. They do not compete with the quality and power of an orchestra, they instead hold their own. It feels a shame that the album is only 12 tracks long as it would be interesting to see how other tracks in the bands long discography would benefit from the treatment. It also feels a shame that there is not an accompanying video release to see the spectacle of sound being created. Orchestras audibly work as one unit of sound so without a visual element it does somewhat undervalue the sheer spectacle of having so many musicians working to play one song. Yet the band’s strong identity and powerful tracks does make the release retain the power of having so many musicians come together to create one unforgettable gig.

The band still sound powerful and every single note helps to create the overwhelming atmosphere the band has become known for. The album can almost become sensory overload at certain points but by design, VOIVOD's songwriting is dense and chaotic in such a virtuosic nature. Fundamentally the band just know what they do well and they bring everything they can into this performance. It feels as if this live album helps to cement the band’s legacy as one of the most important prog metal bands to ever perform. The addition of an orchestra makes the band feel like a true titan of metal. They will forever seem as if they are a singular entity in the musical landscape and no one can copy what they can do. A band built upon a dedication to the craft release a new orchestral album to prove that they are truly titans.

Score: 8/10

Symphonique will be released on 5th June 2026 via Century Media Records.

Words: Will Freeman

Photos: Stéphane Bourgeois