When word first spread that Quebec’s sci-fi thrash veterans Voivod would be collaborating with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, more than a few eyebrows were raised. The prospect of mixing proggy metal with classical orchestration often yields results about as appetizing as putting ketchup on poutine. Yet Wednesday night at Montreal’s Place des Arts, something remarkable happened: two musical worlds collided and, instead of mutual destruction, they created something entirely new.
The plush seats of Wilfrid Pelletier Hall have rarely seen such an eclectic crowd. Smartly dressed symphony regulars found themselves rubbing shoulders with battle-vested metalheads, creating a peculiar social experiment that worked better than anyone might have expected. There was something oddly charming about watching a gentleman in an opera scarf cautiously bobbing his head to “Nuclear War.”
From the moment conductor Dina Gilbert raised her baton for the opening notes of “Experiment,” it was clear this wasn’t going to be another tired “metal meets orchestra” retread. Gilbert, who must have some serious headbanging experience hidden in her classical pedigree, guided the OSM through Voivod’s labyrinthine compositions with the precision of a neurosurgeon and the enthusiasm of a longtime fan.
The band themselves—vocalist Denis “Snake” Bélanger, drummer Michel “Away” Langevin, guitarist Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain, and bassist Dominic “Rocky” Laroche—seemed energized by the orchestral setting. Snake’s distinctive vocals soared over the enhanced arrangements, while Chewy’s guitar work wove through the orchestra’s contributions like a cosmic thread through a tapestry of sound. Away’s drumming, always more thoughtful than your average metal timekeeper, found a perfect balance with the orchestral dynamics.
The setlist drew from across Voivod’s four-decade career, but it was the reimagining of “Forgotten in Space” that truly showcased what this collaboration could achieve. What was once a sharp-edged piece of proggy thrash transformed into something that wouldn’t sound out of place in a Stanley Kubrick film—assuming Kubrick had developed a taste for progressive metal in his later years.
Behind the performers, a massive screen displayed surreal visuals based on Away’s distinctive artwork, creating an immersive experience that felt like watching “2001: A Space Odyssey” reimagined by a metal-obsessed AI. The marriage of visuals, orchestral swells, and Voivod’s intricate arrangements created moments of genuine awe—no small feat in an era where we’ve seemingly seen every possible musical combination attempted.
The evening’s crown jewel came during the encore, with their now-legendary cover of Pink Floyd’s “Astronomy Domine.” The OSM’s string section added layers of cosmic grandeur that even Syd Barrett couldn’t have imagined, while the brass section gave the song’s climax enough power to probably be heard somewhere near Alpha Centauri.
If there’s any criticism to be made, it’s that some of the more subtle orchestral nuances occasionally got lost in the mix during the heavier moments. But in a way, that’s like complaining that your winning lottery ticket was slightly creased—it hardly detracts from the overall victory.
What Voivod and the OSM achieved goes beyond mere novelty. They’ve created a template for how these collaborations should work: not as a gimmick or a grab for legitimacy, but as a genuine artistic exploration.
Voivod Symphonique proved that after forty years, this band is still pushing boundaries in ways that few others would dare to attempt.
Setlist
01. Experiment
02. Holographic Thinking
03. The Unknown Knows
04. The End Of Dormancy
05. Into My Hypercube
06. Forgotten In Space
07. Cosmic Drama
08. Pre-Ignition
09. Nuclear War
10. Fall
11. Tribal Convictions
Encore:
12. Astronomy Domine (PINK FLOYD cover)
Review – Steve Gerrard
Photos – Gabriel Fournier
