Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Voivod - Angel Rat (1991)
Angel Rat is one of those underrated albums I love for the most part, but people don't seem to appreciate the value of softening this band's sound for the mainstream, which is quite understandable. After all, Canadian metal band Voivod made it big with their late 80s trilogy of progressive thrash masterpieces, yet they still haven't reached the height of luxury owned by the American peers of their thrash sound. For this album, instead of making another full-blown concept album like Nothingface, they took that album's future melancholy and put them into more accessible creations. In fact, this has been their most accessible album for 3 decades now, though after an experimental trilogy of albums, their self-titled 2003 album would continue that accessibility. Between those two aforesaid trilogies, Angel Rat is the odd one out with none of their thrash roots or great amounts of experimentation. The Pink Floyd/Rush-inspired progressive metal is still, but in lighter psychedelia that would cause great success!
Anyone expecting Voivod to have their fascinating sound in every effort might not take this album well. Whereas their late 80s prog-thrash trilogy is hot enough to melt your brain before freezing it back to place, all Angel Rat does is warm your brain with no effect. It's a nice kind of warm for me, along with the unusualness of songs that work individually and the cover art that has a circus-like band logo and title while keeping the purplish background color, looking like a stoner doom album cover art or something. The songs are simple with melodic hooks. Piggy (RIP) has developed his guitar work, but farther away from the 80s dissonant aggression. The vocal lines by Snake are broader but less punk-ish. Once again, the mellowness of Nothingface continues with a cryptic dash...
The album begins with a pointless short intro, "Shortwave". Then the rock radio-friendly "Panorama" plays. It's a shame that song didn't get a single, unlike the next one... "Clouds in My House" basically sounds like a spacey combo of Rolling Stones and David Bowie. "The Prow" is what the definition of "seapunk" should've been instead of the recent idea of reviving 90s popular music with Little Mermaid stylistic themes. There are incredible verses, a catchy chorus, and a trippy bridge, all filled with mellow vocals, harmonic guitars, and even organs. Almost like a Nothingface B-side! "Best Regards" is another one of the best of the album, though still far from the band's earlier albums.
"Twin Dummy" is the music equivalent to a creepy smile, with bass melody flow. The title track is a friendly contrast to the previous song, sounding soft with a hint of melancholy. The industrial rock-ish machinery of "Golem" is a powerful hint to the band's mid-90s experimental trilogy, telling a tale of self-awareness within artificial intelligence in existential monotone. A discovery of futuristic humanity that can surely surpass any Star Trek TV series episode!
Their experimentation with new instruments commences in "The Outcast", beginning with synthesized harmonica played by Ivan Doroschuk from Men Without Hats, after Voivod drummer Michel Langevin (Away) performed drums for the Men Without Hats album released earlier that year. There are interesting style changes to find in that song as well. "Nuage Fractal" knocks the album score off a fraction, but it's still good. Same with "Freedoom", sounding too mellow. But did the previous songs suck trash or sound too mellow or detract your interest in the band? Answer: "None of the Above"! However, that final track sounds a bit average, though it only loses a couple percentage points.
Any fan of 80s Voivod who hadn't heard their later discography would, at first hearing of Angel Rat, yell "WT*!?" with no fear of being caught swearing. Yeah, that album is surprising, but it's a pleasant surprise for me, subtly removing the thrash while subtly moving to a different direction. Instead of giving your brain a seizure, it soothes your spirit turning haze into mist. This is an amazing album that shows a band softening their sound in 1991, unlike death metal bands back then. Nothing heavy, yet all beautiful!
Favorites: "Panorama", "The Prow", "Best Regards", "Angel Rat", "Golem", "The Outcast"