David MoyaWhy This Was My Most Anticipated Gig
This was the concert I had been looking forward to the most this year. While many people were counting the days until Metallica’s shows in Dublin, I honestly couldn’t have cared less. Don’t get me wrong—I love Metallica, Pantera, and Gojira. They are among the greatest metal bands of all time.
The difference is the venue. Stadium concerts have become expensive spectacles where the connection between the band and the audience often disappears. In my opinion, once a show passes the 20,000-person mark, it loses much of the intimacy that makes live music special.
Small venues offer a completely different experience. You’re only a few metres from the stage. You can see every expression, feel every riff, and become part of the performance. That closeness creates an atmosphere that no stadium can match.
The Return of a Progressive Thrash Legend
That is exactly why this Voivod show meant so much to me.
Voivod are true pioneers of progressive thrash metal. For more than four decades, they have mixed aggressive thrash with progressive rock, jazz influences, and science-fiction themes to create a sound that remains unique. Although they have inspired countless bands, they still don’t receive the recognition they deserve.
Their influence can be heard in bands such as Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, Tool, and Meshuggah. At the same time, their own music owes much to the experimental spirit of King Crimson. Few bands have managed to blend technical ability, originality, and heaviness as naturally as Voivod, making them one of metal’s most underrated innovators.
Just was kind of half of capacity of the warehouse around 250 people but the atmosphere was great every one was looking forward to the event. Unfortunately I missed the first band Crpyptosis due to an unexpected long call…
Midnight
By the time Midnight were ready to take the stage, the atmosphere inside Dolan’s Warehouse had climbed several degrees, had the sensation that many people had come specifically to witness Cleveland’s blackened speed metal trio. Led by the enigmatic Athenar and joined live by guitarist Daniel Dekay and drummer Iron Processor, the trio wasted no time launching into a relentless assault. Dressed in their trademark black leather, bullet belts, chains and hooded masks, they looked every bit as menacing as their music sounded.
This tour also marked the fifteenth anniversary of Satanic Royalty, so the band performed their legendary debut album in full. From the opening moments it was obvious that Midnight had no intention of giving the audience a chance to catch their breath. Tracks such as “Black Rock ‘n’ Roll“, “Evil Like a Knife“, and “Satanic Royalty“ were delivered with raw aggression and an overwhelming wall of sound.
As the set gathered momentum, the centre of the floor erupted into a swirling mosh pit. Fists filled the air as fans shouted every lyric back at the band. Songs like “Black Damnation”, “Fucking Speed and Darkness“, and “Who Gives a Fuck?“ only pushed the energy even higher.
The easiest way to describe Midnight is Venom with the accelerator pinned to the floor. They combine the filth of first-wave black metal with the speed of classic thrash, creating a sound that is both chaotic and addictive. More importantly, they looked like they were enjoying every second of it, feeding off the crowd’s energy as much as we fed off theirs.
Midnight didn’t simply warm up the audience for Voivod—they nearly stole the entire show. Their performance was loud, uncompromising, and unforgettable. I have no doubt that the next time they return to Ireland, I’ll be standing once again.
Voivod
A Journey Through Time and Space
As the lights dimmed, the unmistakable intro to “Experiment” from Dimension Hatröss (1988) echoed through Dolan’s Warehouse. The band walked on stage before vocalist Snake finally appeared to a huge roar from the crowd. From that moment, the venue belonged to Voivod. The temperature was already rising, and we knew we were about to embark on another journey through dystopian worlds, artificial intelligence, and strange parallel universes.
One of the first things that stands out at a Voivod show is the band’s visual identity. Their angular, geometric guitars perfectly match their futuristic themes and progressive thrash sound. Every detail feels uniquely Voivodian.
For me, one of the highlights of the night was “Tribal Convictions“ from Dimension Hatröss. Hearing that song live instantly transported me back to the late ’80s, when metal ruled the world and life felt much simpler.
Masters of Their Craft
Behind the kit, Michel “Away” Langevin once again proved why he is one of metal’s most distinctive drummers. His playing combines creativity with flawless precision.
The band looked completely at home on the Dolan’s stage. Songs such as “Korgüll the Exterminator“, “Nanoman“, and “Tornado“ were greeted with huge cheers. The audience sang along, pumped their fists in the air, and matched the band’s energy from beginning to end.
A Tribute to Piggy
One of the evening’s most emotional moments came when Snake paused to remember the late Denis “Piggy” D’Amour. Although Piggy passed away in 2005, his influence remains at the heart of Voivod. Snake dedicated “Astronomy Domine“, the band’s classic Pink Floyd cover from Nothingface (1989), to his memory.
For a few minutes, the frantic atmosphere gave way to reflection. The entire venue shared a touching tribute to a musician whose legacy continues to inspire generations of metal fans.
Four Decades of Innovation
Watching Voivod live feels like stepping into a time machine. Their music takes you back to a time when discovering a new metal band felt like finding hidden treasure. They closed the evening with Voivod from War and Pain (1984), bringing an unforgettable performance to a perfect conclusion.
More than forty years into their career, Voivod continue to prove why they are one of metal’s most original and influential bands. Their catalogue remains as fresh and unique today as it was in the early 1980s. Seeing fans of all ages celebrating their music together was the perfect reminder that heavy metal is alive, healthy, and still evolving.
