CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS, NAPALM EVENTS, FESTIVALSTALKER, TIME FOR METAL, METAL DIVISION MAGAZINE, ROCKLAND RADIO & MERGENER HOF proudly present:

VOIVOD
EUROPE 2026

VOIVOD – THE KINGS OF TECH METAL

It's time for a superlative: VOIVOD are one of the most extraordinary bands in the world. They are generally categorized as thrash metal, a label the band doesn't dispute. This is especially true of their first four albums: "War and Pain" (1984), "Rrröööaaarrr" (1986), "Killing Technology" (1987), and "Dimension Hatröss" (1988). In this early phase, when the Franco-Canadian band, founded in 1982, was still signed to the Berlin-based Noise label, they were colleagues of Kreator. Hardcore, prog, speed, avant-garde... Countless terms have been coined with "metal" to describe the Canadians' incredibly diverse sound.

VOIVOD has endured a 40-year career, 15 studio albums, five official lineups, countless tours, creative shifts, changing musical styles, car crashes, and unspeakable tragedies—all while building a worldwide following of loyal fans for one of the most fascinating journeys in the storied and ever-evolving history of metal.

THE BEGINNING OF VOIVOD

The band VOIVOD was founded in 1981 by guitarist Denis D'Amour (Piggy). After meeting several musicians, he found a bassist in Jean-Yves Thériault (Blacky). However, Blacky couldn't play bass at that time, but Piggy was musically skilled and took Blacky under his wing. Later, Blacky hired Michel Langevin (Away), a friend from his high school days, as their drummer. However, the project didn't last, as Away later said, "Everything went wrong because nobody could play." "Piggy was the only real musician."

Blacky and Away needed time to develop their skills, so the band broke up for a year. After reforming in November 1982, the band officially became VOIVOD after recruiting Denis Bélanger (Snake) as their vocalist in January 1983. The full lineup played their first concert on June 25, 1983, covering Judas Priest, Motörhead, and Venom, as well as their own songs. This performance was also recorded on their first demo, "Anachronism." The band members are listed with the following descriptions:

Snake - "throat, scream, insults, mike torture & weapon operator", Piggy - "burning metal-axe, electro-motive force & tremolition", Blacky - "blower bass, pyromania and shit" and Away - "thunder and death machine, horror and visions".

Doors open: 7:00 PM