A year after the release of 1997's
Phobos (
Voivod's second -- and ultimately, final -- release with bassist/singer Eric Forrest at the helm), an 11-track compilation of odds and ends saw the light of day,
Kronik. Focusing entirely on the group's mid- to late-'90s era (one that saw
Voivod return to their metallic roots and eradicate their prog metal excursions), you get a smattering of outtakes from both the
Negatron and
Phobos recording sessions, a trio of remixes by the likes of
Foetus, Haig Vartzbedian, and
DJ? Acucrack, as well as four tracks recorded live in Germany from 1995. The track that will be most welcomed by
Voivod fans will be "Ion," which was heard in the movie Heavy Metal 2000 but mysteriously was not included on its subsequent soundtrack. Also included are fine readings of such
Voivod classics as their cover of
Pink Floyd's "Astronomy Domine" and "Nuclear War," the latter a track that stretches all the way back to their 1984 debut,
War and Pain. The remixes are your usual "not as good as the original" fare, but the outtakes and live tracks will be worthy of any
Voivod fan's time. ~ Greg Prato