POST SOCIETY

"Post Society" is an EP release by Canadian, Jonquière, Quebec based thrash/progressive metal act Voivod. The EP was released through Century Media Records in February 2016. Since the release of "Target Earth (2013)", the band have released a couple of minor releases, but the most significant event in that period is that original bassist Blacky (Real name Jean-Yves Thériault) jumped ship again in 2014 (he had a couple of longer periods in the band between 1981, 1982-1991 and 2008-2014). He has been replaced by Rocky (Real name Dominique Laroche).

"Post Society" features five tracks and a full playing time of 30:25 minutes. Four original compositions and a cover of "Silver Machine" by Hawkwind, which closes the EP. Only three of the original compositions are exclusive to "Post Society" though, as "We Are Connected" was released on a split single with "Language of the Dead" by At the Gates in March 2015. The split single was only released in a very limited number of copies, so it´s arguably a good idea to include "We Are Connected" on "Post Society".

Other than "Silver Machine", which more or less follows the original with a twist of Voivod, the material on the EP sounds unmistakably like Voivod. Adventurous song structures, dissonannt guitar riffs, innovative and powerful drumming, a rumbling distorted bass, and Snake´s distinct sounding raw vocals in front. Like the case was on "Target Earth (2013)", the tracks on "Post Society" also features elements from different eras of the band´s career. So the final result is a unique combination of thrash and progressive metal. It´s a little more controlled than the anarchistic and raw speed/thrash metal of the band´s early days, and not as rock oriented and melodic as the mid-period progressive metal releases.

All material on the EP is of a good quality, but to my ears the highlights are the title track and "We Are Connected", while "Forever Mountain" and "Fall" are slightly less memorable. The cover of "Silver Machine" is enjoyable too, but nothing out of the ordinary. The sound production is clear and powerful, and as always the musicianship is top notch, so upon conclusion "Post Society" is a quality release by Voivod. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.