When a tour is coming up, it's a good idea for a band to propose a release to celebrate the event. To mark the occasion of their tour with Opeth, Voivod proposes an EP, "Ultraman", in a different spirit from the usual ones. The title is evocative for fans of Japanese culture: it refers to the Japanese series of the 60s that rocked the childhood dreams of Michel 'Away' Langevin.
The EP released on vinyl has on the A side the main credits and the battle themes sung in Japanese and French by Chewy. In the Voivod style with crazy riffs, the result is fun. The credits are very effective and we can feel that Chewy is having a great time. The two other themes are also well covered and it plunges us with pleasure in the series and its universe. On the flip side Voivod offers two tracks from a 2018 concert, bonus of the limited edition of "Synchro Anarchy" which was missing the encores. A nice bonus!
'Overrreaction' comes from 1987's 'Killing Technology', in a furious version that allows you to see that the track hasn't aged a bit. It remains crazy and intense in the form of a techno thrash slap of a rare intensity with huge vocals and amazing riffs and solos. 'Voivod', the first track from the legendary debut album "War And Pain", is preceded by a poignant note for 'Piggy d'Amour' Denis. The track hits the nail on the head with an insanity that is still going strong, including a chorus in a crazed thrash spirit.
"Ultraman" is a nice gift to the fans. Voivod has fun to find its youth with the Japanese series and the live bonuses confirm the great form of the current line-up.