Gauntlet News

VOIVOD Unleashes a Cosmic Assault on U.S. with 10-City Tour

By Jason •
Get ready for a metal invasion as Canadian legends VOIVOD hit the road this October with fiery support from BAT.

Canada's cosmic metal pioneers, VOIVOD, are set to unleash their sonic assault across the U.S. this October with a blistering 10-city tour that promises to shake the foundations of every venue they inhabit. Kicking off on October 8 in Youngstown, Ohio, this tour is not just a chance to witness the band live; it’s a celebration of their relentless spirit and pioneering sound that has influenced generations of metalheads.

Joining them on this metallic journey is none other than BAT, the Richmond-based trio known for their high-octane metal-punk fusion. With the likes of Ryan Waste, Nick Poulos, and Chris Marshall in the lineup, fans can expect a set that will perfectly complement VOIVOD’s cosmic auditory escapades. The tour will make stops in cities including Liverpool, Brooklyn, and Atlanta, culminating in a grand finale in Newport, KY, on October 18.

However, this tour comes on the heels of a challenging summer for VOIVOD’s frontman, Denis “Snake” Bélanger, who is currently attending to a family matter. Filling his shoes is Eric Forrest, a former member of VOIVOD and current vocalist/bassist of E-FORCE, whose dynamic presence is bound to keep the energy alive during performances.

While the band gears up for this U.S. trek, they continue to navigate the turbulent waters of personal struggles. Earlier this year, Snake’s partner bravely faced the harsh reality of stage four colorectal cancer, prompting the community to rally behind her with a GoFundMe campaign aimed at easing the financial burden. Meanwhile, Forrest himself is battling stage three prostate cancer, a testament to the resilience and unbreakable spirit that defines the metal community.

VOIVOD remains a band that defies categorization, merging elements of speed, progressive, and thrash metal to carve out a unique niche since their inception in the early '80s. Their landmark album, "Nothingface," catapulted them into the mainstream, marking their place among the “big four” of Canadian thrash alongside SACRIFICE, RAZOR, and ANNIHILATOR.

As the excitement builds for this tour, fans can also relive VOIVOD’s storied past through their recent documentary, "We Are Connected," which premiered at the Fantasia International Film Festival. The film chronicles over four decades of innovation and perseverance, featuring insights from metal luminaries and archival footage that showcases the band's evolution from underground heroes to global icons. With a new biography also released, VOIVOD’s legacy is anything but forgotten, continuing to inspire and influence the vast landscape of heavy metal.