fans ofultramanthe Voivod members have released a mini-album paying homage to this cult Japanese TV series popular in the late ’60s: an “EP” covering the title track in French, English and Japanese.
The Quebec metal formation, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, takes up the opening theme, that of the battles and the closing segment in their own way.
In the opening theme of this series, broadcast in French by Radio-Canada and Télé-Métropole, we hear the words: Ultraman, Ultraman, he who flies in the sky. Ultraman, Ultraman coming from the sun. Here he is all alone aboard his supersonic plane, the hero of the nuclear age, his name is Ultraman.
Originally only the intro theme was found as a bonus track on Japanese copies of the Synchro Anarchy album.
“We thought it would be very voivode. It took us a long time to get the rights and in the end it was impossible to add them. We decided to make a mini album adding the final theme, that of battles, and a live recorded version of the song Voivod. This piece played as an encore was found on the extended version of Synchro Anarchy on which we find the Return To Morgöth concert recorded in Jonquière in 2018, but we had lost it,” Michel Langevin said during an interview. .
In Japanese
The drummer has very personal memories of this series, in which the character Hayata was transformed into Ultraman after swallowing a beta capsule. From that moment he had three minutes to fight the monsters attacking Japan. Michel Langevin recalls an introduction with whimsical avant-garde music and images of spinning colour.
“It was quite abstract and immediately disturbing. I remember having several nightmares trying to save myself from some kind of Godzilla breathing fire. There was one in every episode,” he said, laughing.
The idea of using the Ultraman theme came from Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain. There are versions in French, English, instrumental and one in Japanese sung by the guitarist.
“Chewy speaks Japanese and he can give interviews in that language,” specified Michel Langevin, adding that Ultraman is not known in certain places in the United States.
Voivod does not currently intend to include the title Ultraman in its concerts. The quartet is preparing an overview of its repertoire for its world tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Jonquière group.
“It’s something you could do in Japan. In Tokyo we will have no choice,” he said.
A second wind
Back from a 20-show, 12-country European tour where the band opened for Opeth and also headlined, Voivod played to crowds of 3,000 and 4,000 respectively.
“It was really fantastic. The venues were prestigious and the people at Opeth were really nice to us,” he said.
The drummer had great moments in Paris, Barcelona and Madrid.
“The concerts at the Eventim Apollo, the old Hammersmith Odeon in London and the Sala Tejo in Lisbon were my favourites. Also, there is our Festival Candelabrum concert in Mexico and Istanbul,” he said.
Voivod is gearing up for a big 2023 on the occasion of its 40th anniversary.
A year that will be marked by the release of a book, a documentary and a world tour where Voivod wants to visit as many places as possible. A tour scheduled to start in April.
The quartet will hit the studio in January to work on recording and other stuff. A best hits album is due out this summer.
Michel Langevin admits that Voivod is currently getting a second wind. The metal fusion sounds of the EP Post Society and opus The Wake were well received and the album Synchro Anarchy found itself on several end of year lists.
“Something happened to the Post Society. Many people have discovered Voivod and word has spread. We’re getting more and more popular. There’s a real dynamic. We have fun exploring in the studio and we have fun on tour. The chemistry is really excellent and we will try to keep it for several years,” he noted.