VOIVOD Drummer Issues Update On New Video, New Side-Projects, Reissues And New Album

VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin has issued an update on the band’s current activities:

"Here's what's up: The video for 'Polaroids' is finished. It was done with Banger Productions and Ottoblix and contains some of my animation work. I started working on the video for 'The X-Stream', also in collaboration with Banger Productions and Ottoblix.

"We will be recording the follow-up to 'Katorz' in the fall 2007.

"I'm almost finished with the 'Roar' re-issue on Sanctuary. It will include a bonus DVD pulled from the Iron Gang archives of the era. Expect a fall release.

"Troubleman Unlimited are done with the layout of my art book. The book will contain 325 VOIVOD-related drawings and covers the years 1976-2006. No release date yet but it's getting close! Check out our new belt-buckles, soon on Bandmerch.com.

"My project LES ÉKORCHÉS is out on Indica/Outside. Produced by Glen Robinson. Info: lesekorches.com and myspace.com/lesekorches.

"My other project KOSMOS will come out this year on The End. Info: myspace.com/kosmostheband. Snake's project PARANOLAND is on the way. Also produced by Glen Robinson. Info: myspace.com/paranoland. Also in the works: 'The Outer Limits' and 'Angel Rat' reissues on The End. 'Killing Technology' and 'Dimension Hatross' reissues with bonus Iron Gang DVDs on Sanctuary. 'DVOD 2' and 'DVOD 3' are coming along too.

"That's about it I guess. I'm very sorry about the delays, all of this is a lot of work!"

As previously reported, four demo tracks for VOIVOD's "Katorz" album have been posted online at the Voivodfan.com web site. Download the songs "Mr. Clean", "The Getaway", "Red My Mind" and "After All" at this location.

VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin recently commented on the rumors that the band is planning to embark on a tour once the group's bassist Jason "Jasonic" Newsted has recovered from his recent shoulder injury.

Said Away: "Well, we certainly hope to be able to promote the next album and [last year's] 'Katorz' live in 2008 but no plans have been laid down yet. Of course, we're not thinking of replacing [guitarist] Piggy [who died of colon cancer in August 2005]. It would be more of a tribute to him type of thing. It's still too early to think about a tour. In fact, I'm preparing myself mentally to hear Piggy's tracks in the headphones in the studio in the fall 2007!"

Newsted was sidelined last October by injuries to his left shoulder, right bicep and right rotator cuff. The former METALLICA member, who was injured trying to catch a 90-pound piece of equipment that had fallen from atop of his amp, underwent surgery and is said to be taking part in a rehab schedule that could last up to nine months.

VOIVOD's video for the "Katorz" (2006) track "The Getaway" has been posted online at YouTube.com. The clip was created by editing together footage from the album's recording session and the band's 2003 U.S. tour. The group is also finalizing plans to re-release their early back catalog on The End Records. Langevin said the band will start with 1986's "Rrröööaaarrr", the following year's "Killing Technology" and '88's "Dimension Hatröss". He said each LP will be remastered and upped with a bonus DVD.

VOIVOD released the critically-acclaimed "Katorz" last summer on The End Records. The album was recently released as a limited-edition vinyl pressing available exclusively through The End Records' mail-order. The beautiful gatefold 180gm vinyl comes in color format and also includes special artwork and packaging designed by Langevin. The album was done with full cooperation from the band. The release is limited to 1,000 copies: 400 clear vinyl, 400 red vinyl and 200 black vinyl.