Sometimes you feel that there is no need for a compilation album. At other times it is more than justified. In the case of VOIVOD and "Morgöth Tales" it is definitely the latter, as they have been a major influence for a lot of Extreme and Progressive Metal bands throughout the years. You only have to listen to what GOJIRA dishes out on their records to recognise the VOIVOD influences. And, as these Canadians from Jonquière, Quebec are celebrating making noise together for 40 years, it can be considered an extra incentive to put out something special.

What VOIVOD have done is take a lot of the songs they recorded over the years, and rerecorded them with the current line-up. Just take the opening song "Condemned To The Gallows". It was only released on the "Metal Massacre V" compilation from 1984. How many of the fans will actually have that record? I'd say not enough. Or the last song, "Morgöth Tales". It's always nice to hear a new song when a compilation is released, but that usually only happens if a band has been away for a while.

Well, VOIVOD have been active all through the years, and only last year produced a killer record with "Synchro Anarchy". So, they could have added a lot more known songs to these "Morgöth Tales". I for one am glad they didn't as I would rather hear new music from them. And no, that is not to say that I am not enjoying listening to this compilation album. On the contrary, it is refreshing to hear how the band are interpretating their songs themselves after all these years. Some have changed slightly, some sound quite different, especially the older ones, being the first two songs. The main reason for that is the improved quality of the production. Now they sound a lot more cohesive than they did on their original release.

If you are one of the (very few) people who has never heard of VOIVOD and you love your Progressive Extreme Metal to cover all corners of the spectrum, "Morgöth Tales" could prove a perfect starting point for you. if you are one of those who has followed them throughout the years, like me, you will revel in the fact that you now have another example of how extremely eccentric and obviously unique VOIVOD as a band is.  Here's to another 40 years. Hooray!!