VOIVOD - Ultraman

WTF? Yes, Homer watching the Mr. Sparkle ad was exactly one of the first thoughts jumping into my mind while listening to the new Voivod EP.

VOIVOD - Ultraman (transparent red 12" vinyl EP) (2022)

I could have been warned, if I had ever watched the Japanese Ultraman series though. But I haven't been that kind of a TV child. And I couldn't bother to youtube it. This EP is kind of a throwback to the band covering the classic Batman theme as a bonus track on "Dimension Hätross", so nope, it's not the most serious Voivod you'll ever hear. "Ultraman" is a three-minute medley of the opening theme, victory theme and closing theme of the series, presented in three different versions: sung in Japanese/French/English, sung completely in Japanese (lead vocals by Chewy, who appearantly has better skills in that language than Snake) and one fully instrumental take.

The last one is the easiest to get into, because transferring this music into voivodian piggy chord thrash metal has been quite successful. During the vocals however you can't escape the reality that it's still a childish TV show theme. And if you're not in on the joke for nostalgic reasons it remains challenging - or at least that kind of weird I gifed above. Luckily the Canadians have also released the top metal album of the year contender before with "Synchro Anarchy", so I don't even have to think about whether this is primarily silly or brilliant, because for one EP they can do what they want at this point anyway.

Speaking of "Synchro Anarchy": The CD mediabook edition of the album contained a bonus disc with the "Return To Morgöth" live bonus disc featuring a show from 2018. Two track from the setlist - "Overreaction" and "Voivod" - were missing there though. And since there was still a lot of space on this 12" vinyl, they are now delivered subsequently on the B side of "Ultraman".

This gives the EP, which otherwise just as good could have been released as a 7", a little more meat on the bones.

Since the thing also looks good - it's Voivod, come on! - this is all in all an enjoyable item. It's clearly not the sci-fi metal icons' most essential work, but rather for fans, both of the band and show I guess.

And hey you, Century Media Records! Yes, you!
You're cool, I like your releases, your packaging is cool too, but haven't you heard of this hip new thing called Bandcamp? Come on, it's both embarrassing that in the year 2022 I have to rip a release like this from the vinyl for a digital copy and that you're denying your artists that direct distribution channel. I'm confident it wouldn't hurt you. Quite the opposite really.