VOIVOD/VIO-LENCE The Jar, Phoenix, AZ Article donated by the author, Darryl Keck After seeing Metallica only the night before, I thought there'd be a packed house, but for some reason only a hundred or so bangers appeared. That in itself seems odd considering most of the Metallica audience were frantic during "Whiplash", so for only a measly one percent to appear for a thrash show the next night draws a question. is it that Metallica's audience is comprised of about 10 percent real metallers and the rest the want-a-be's trying to act tough by following the fashion flow? Or is it just that Voivod are too advanced for the average kid? You decide! To the show. The Bay Area giants Vio-lence opened proving that this lengthy tour hasn't tired them out yet. Vocalist Sea Killan's vocals were once again in top form with songs such as "Kill on Command" feeling even tighter than ever. Toward the end of the set, though, Phill Demmel was having a hell-of-a-bad time. Whether it was a broken string or loss of sound, this just wasn't his night. Regardless, guitarist Robb Flynn held the songs together, so no one should've left disappointed. Voivod, on the other hand, had absolutely no problems what-so-ever. Like an electrocution victim, I was shocked to hear every effect and note in perfection. I've always thought Voivod (on vinyl anyway) was a little too anomalous for the average metal-come-lately kid to comprehend, but if they would've been present for this show, I'm sure they'd be more in touch with what the band are trying to present. Most of the songs were from the recent, Dimension Hatross album with "Tribal Convictions" filling the small club with a creepy aura. Unfortunately, there was no F*ck off and Die". Snake, sport that look of U2's Bono in his youth, came across as one of the most tempered vocalists I've seen live, and Piggy's operation didn't seem to affect his accurate playing considering every note was in parallel to the albums. Voivod are back and in mint form. It's only a shame that more couldn't have been amongst the audience to witness one of the most classic shows I've seen at the Jar! Darryl J. Keck