Jury's Top Ten Records of 2013: #7

#7: Voivod - Target Earth

In this first album without any input from the late Denis "Piggy" D’amour Voivod demonstrates their will and skill to press on without one of the most innovative guitarists in the history of forever.  Dan Mongrain steps in and admirably maintains the distinctive Voivod sound without aping Piggy. On a few tracks, particularly Mechanical Mind you can hear parts that sound as Piggy would have played ‘em but then they swerve off into entirely new areas, adeptly blending new and old. While this is not the greatest Voivod record it's also far from their worst, with only a few filler tracks. Of special mention is the work of prodigal bassist Blackie, whose efforts are as interesting and innovative as ever.

Also heard:
Consciousness Removal Project – Tacit: Certainly capable but entirely uninteresting.
Corrosion of Conformity – Megaladon: It’s remarkable how much can be achieved with an echoey, overdriven SG. A delightful, squonky, southern-fried, psychedelic, paranoid 20 minutes.