Chordplay - The Chords Of Voivod

[@LateNightLessons]

Hey gang! Forgive me for screwing anything up with this one - I'm kinda new to these guys! I did notice that I botched identifying the last tapped chord in 'Cosmic Drama.' That's a Em13 - not a "Em7" as I said (for whatever reason). Sorry about that and anything else that isn't quite up to snuff! \m/ ROCK ON \m/

[@voronOsphere]

I appreciate you doing this lesson, David! Voivod are definitely very abstract, so it's gotta be quite a challenge to figure out by ear! Thanks, again, for diving in!

[@johnryan527]

You ain't got to ask for forgiveness , you it's all GOOD. '. Bra , I've learned a TON. from you. SIR. .I'M GREATLY APPRECIATIVE I'M .A ,Ax. TO SEE THE,,, LET ME TURN THIS down. ,, Ok. ,... My problem is I can't slow down for long er than a few notes ,,maybe it's cuz I'm wound tight much coffee, oh hey what's going on man hold on I'm on the talk text.. keep the good work up sir I will continue to watch you

[@davesdream]

Like it makes any difference to me a Em13 or a Em7!!!.... 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Great video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know Voivod since my High School days but never listened to them. 2023 is when I started to discovered them. I even went to a concert in a small club, took some pictures with them. Had a lot of fun. Great guys!

[@dansimmons5382]

Good job! You don't see any teaching on Voi Vod only just play along videos and it's about impossible with voi vod, this helped. But I would love a part 2!

[@johnwomack6601]

Great video David! Need a Vektor chord play like I need air to breathe

[@rega5950]

I've seen them a number of times going back to the late '80s and I always stand there staring at the guitarist wondering how he can make those bizarre chord progressions sound so darn good! So dissonant and yet extremely melodic, fast yet insanely technical. It melts my brain into ecstatic goo

[@mercilessradio1770]

THANK YOU! I have been trying to figure out this style since 1986. No guitar teachers (including my father who was a studio jazz guy could figure it out).

[@voronOsphere]

The new Voivod guitarist (Martyr guitarist Chewie) is also brilliant! He's an expert on the late Piggy. Also transcribed several Voivod albums when Piggy was on guitar (available in book form). Jazz Fusion skills, too!

[@jean-marcsomma3871]

His name is Dan Mongrain. Guitarist of the Canadian metal band Martyr.

[@voronOsphere]

@@jean-marcsomma3871 That's right! Brilliant player and composer! He left a nice comment in the comment section here, too!

[@beeemm2578]

They couldn't have found a better guy. Hes perfect. What a player

[@biorythmicshifter]

I know you said you’re not familiar with the newer VoiVod material but I can assure you if you loved them then you’ll love them now. Dan is a very rare exception in the world of players replacing legendary musicians. Dan has a thorough understanding of music intuitively and intellectually because he’s well trained. This guy can knock out note for note solos from Allan Holdsworth, complete bad ass. His impetus to pick up a guitar was inspired by Piggy so he learned to play from Voivod records and expanded from there. He has an almost supernatural ability to channel Piggy but most importantly he retains the Voivod identity while creating something new and exciting. I’ve never heard a better suited replacement for any player in a band. It’s truly remarkable considering how unique Voivod’s sound is. He even revisits musical motifs from the classic era which is icing on the cake for old school fans. He is keeping the music vital and alive as it should be. I can’t recommend enough to at least giving one of the new albums one good spin, you won’t regret it…

[@voronOsphere]

100% right on! Amazing guitarist/musician/arranger! And Dan (Chewie) even left a nice comment in the comment section here, too!

[@spookybaba]

Allan Holdsworth couldn't even play his own solos. Always slightly different, every time. I'm more impressed with improvisation skills than working something out note for note. I don't doubt the new guys skills, regardless 👍

[@biorythmicshifter]

@@spookybaba Allan didn’t play his own solos note for note by choice not by lack of ability. My statement was more meant to illustrate the level of playing skill involved. I’ve been playing guitar over 30 years and playing Allan Holdsworth solos note for note and make it sound fluid takes a level of musical skill that is notable. I never met anyone that could come close to pulling that shit off. Dans original work with Martyr, Gorguts and Voivod prove he’s not a parrot, he’s not copying anyone. He’s just an extremely talented individual that took the time to learn an enormous amount of technically challenging music and now he possesses a set of tools in his tool box that far exceeds even much more celebrated players…bottom line, he’s worthy and worth checking out if you’ve been a fan of any era of Voivod.

[@jimwinters3986]

The ONLY other guitarist meant for this band. Seriously.

[@voronOsphere]

@@jimwinters3986 Yes! Definitely.

[@DanMongrain]

Appreciate the effort, you're close though but Piggy had some tricks! It's actually less notes, and simpler fingerings.

[@voronOsphere]

Chewie!!!!! In the house!!!! You do great work, sir! Thank you!

[@biorythmicshifter]

The Jedi master has spoken…

[@marpsr]

The Wake rocks so hard

[@voronOsphere]

@@marpsr Heck yeah! Both with and without the horn section!

[@spazzcorpse]

With all due respect I think he nailed it. Most of the fingerings here don't get any simpler. The only thing I've seen simplified is the the chorus riff of Nothingface. Yet, you are their guitarist so you should know. I love Synchro Anarvchy btw. Chewy love your tone!!!

[@krommetal]

Voivod are literally their own genre.

[@zemlidrakona2915]

Voivod is a band like no other. I remember back in the late 80s and 90s I would tell someone I like Voivod and sometimes I got the question "What kind of metal are they?" They only thing I could really say is "They are Voivod Metal". That still seems to be true. BTW the new guy in Voivod, Chewy his good too. He's kind of like Piggy's brother from another mother.

[@Yonder88]

My manager once asked me: "What would be your great entrance song for entering a stage?" And I guess he thought I might come up with something like "Simply the best" by Tina Turner. No no no, it is "Tribal Convictions" by Voivod.

[@mikegrill9078]

Hell yeah man I have been waiting for years for dudes to talk about Voivod chords and theory. Awesome stuff brother you are doing great work, keep it up \m/

[@voronOsphere]

Voivod!!!!! OMG! I love these guys! Piggy RIP! Shout out to Chewie for carrying the torch!

[@dansimmons5382]

Chewie does them justice too!

[@mkhud50n]

Voivod was my first concert. Faith No More and Soundgarden opened for them.

[@geraldrauch1701]

saw that tour in NYC!!!

[@altheemeraldtoucanet4141]

Saw them twice on that tour! Amazing both times! All 3 bands rocked.

[@MegaEric1167]

Great stuff! The chords and notes played on their albums is so different and unique. A step above other music out there.

[@brettschacht4183]

Piggy and Chewie are such underrated players in the metal realm. Thanks for giving them their respect due.

[@MisterPoppy-sc1sj]

you could do videos on CORONER riffs and solos please

[@Mudder1310]

Really glad you covered Voivod. Love tunes like Ripping Headaches, The Prow, and they did a great cover of Astro Domine.

[@martinlahaie6012]

Made in Québec ! 🇲🇶🇲🇶🇲🇶 Four guy's from Saguenay Lac St Jean Who barely spoke 2 words of english became iconic by not selling out ... Merci!Piggy on t'aime et on se souviens de toi❤

[@eelliott74]

When I read that Voivod was opening for Rush on the Canadian leg of their Presto tour, I rushed out and bought Nothingface. It was an amazing album-the art, the music, the lyrics were like nothing out there. I listened to the album recently and it still holds up.

[@jonsvenson7056]

I saw Voivod with Celtic Frost and Running Wild in Seattle. Snake came out with the gas mask and tore the place up. Great show and made me a fan for evermore. Thanks to Tom from the Accused for turning me onto the first album. RIP Piggy!

[@markhillary7402]

I saw that show as well - I wasn’t into Voivod before that but their live performance completely won me over and I immediately started snapping up all their albums with each new release. A totally unique and incredibly creative band.

[@drums-n-stuff3864]

Yep, I was there for that tour… my introduction to the genius of Voivod!

[@jimwinters3986]

Dan Mongrain knows! Great to see him show up. Hey Dave!

[@russdesaulniers3112]

On the Nothingface tour...Metallica opened for Voivod. Soundgarden and Faith No More have also opened for them. When I saw Opeth last year, Mikael Akerfeldt stated that Voivod was "The best band in the world."

[@orendungan3455]

Thanks for this; great vid. I saw Voivod premier their Astronomy Domine video on Mtv, back when they still occasionally played music videos and Mammoth still walked the earth. I bought Nothingface the next day and it has been one of my favorite albums to this day. Syncro-Anarchy is phenomenal, by the way. Another album I can't stop listening to.

[@bestboy897]

Excellent lesson. Nothing face is a masterpiece.

[@jotteff5100]

Wow, didn´t see this one coming! Thanks a lot David! Besides the punk and prog influence there´s definitely a certain post punk vibe in their music - Bauhaus, Killing Joke and such.

[@geekmetal]

Glad someone pointed that out. They were definitely diggin' on the early 80's post-punk/goth scene along with 70's prog and 20th Century classical. What a unique band.

[@JMatthewRoot]

Thanks so much! Finding info on the weird chords is always a pain and this video helps a ton! Love Voivod. If you're digging their stuff you should check out Coroner as well. Specifically their Grin album. Its a masterpiece and has tons of similar weird chords and mix of metal and psychedelia. You'll love it! :)

[@tanaj7708]

Merci!! Love this episode. Voivod has released music I’d choose to be stranded on a desert island with.

[@kraid80]

Wow, totally didn't expect an episode about Voivod! Love them since the 80s! Cool!

[@flagace4889]

Jason Newsted played live and on record with Voivoid and is a friend of the band.

[@voronOsphere]

Yes! His Voivod name is "Jasonic."

[@JasonGreen-n3l]

great chords for getting out of the power chord rut I fall into sometimes. great lesson. piggy was a genius.

[@johnkjetil]

I asked you about Voivod some years ago, listening to them now. I'm glad you picked them up! John :)

[@sputniki5477]

Modern Voivod is worth your while. Dan "Chewie" Mongrain's whole career is incredible.

[@VimFuego]

Yes! Might be the only band featured on chord play who spawned a term about their use of odd chords. “Voivod chords”. Great job! Cosmic Drama intro is so cool. RIP Piggy. Thanks for the tribute at the end. He was such a great guy that brought a lot to metal music and inspired so many to explore new musical territory.

[@voronOsphere]

I love Voivod Chords!

[@voronOsphere]

Shout out to Jasonic (Jason Newsted) for playing bass with Voivod for a couple of albums (the last albums with Piggy)!

[@sycog7711]

love your video.....I saw them in Montreal in 1990 for the Dimention Hatross tour at the Spectrum.....(.my first show ever ).....poening bands were Voi-lence....and Cro mags..great live performace.........they ARE their own genre........nothing else like VOÏVOD.

[@sbouchard69]

Je pense que Denis aurait aimé partager sa musique avec toi ;) Great lesson! I am a guy from Alma near Jonquière (Voivod's native town). I saw them live in my high school in Alma when War and Pain was playing on y cassette deck. Thanks for this deep analysis of Denis work. I cannot imagine what he could have produce if he could. Maudit cancer! F. Y. cancer!

[@drums-n-stuff3864]

Definitely one of the most amazing and underrated bands of all time! Since ‘86 I’m a fanatic!

[@JPTyler]

YEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!! Piggy is one of my favorite guitar players and I absolutely love this guitar tone, especially on "The Outer Limits" record. I still have my copy of it, the one that came with the 3D glasses 🤣

[@voronOsphere]

Fantastic album!

[@milesgemini4029]

I can't express the respect I have for voivod, I grew up with them and stopped listening after nothingface but their last couple albums have been absolute monsters

[@sarloscantana]

Killing it lately, man. Really enjoying these. Voidvod and Anthrax are killer! Voivod's new album is awesome and has some killer guitar work IMO. Have always loved their spacey, discordant, sci-fi, death mech futuristic sound!

[@marcrohrer7130]

great, thanx! Defintely one of my faves since the 80s 😊 They also have songbooks with detailed notation and stuff... I bought one at a gig, if I remembr correcty...

[@voronOsphere]

I need to get those books! I bought drummer Away's book of art on that tour! Great show!

[@suzannecoholic1467]

I wasn't sure what to expect with this one, but pretty cool!

[@voronOsphere]

Shout out to Eric Forrest (Voivod bassist/lead vocalist on two overlooked Voivod albums: "Negatron" and "Phobos"- both with Piggy on guitar). I love "Phobos." I bought a Danelectro Dan Echo delay pedal, after hearing Piggy's experimental delay drenched performances! Experimental vocal sound and lots of trippy heaviness and sci-fi flavor, too!

[@jeffersoncamargo3738]

I asked you, via Messenger, about 2 years ago, for a Voivod episode. Thanks a lot, Dave. Already waiting for part two, with Angel Rat, The Outer Limits and new stuff with Chewie, 'cos he is brilliant.

[@voronOsphere]

Yes!!!! And a few Chewie Voivod album riffs & licks, as well.

[@johnkjetil]

Thank You!

[@tallpaul1020]

I saw them with Faith No More and Soundgarden in Cleveland in' '90. Thought they were some thrash band. was pleasantly surprised how cool they were. 🤘🎸

[@metalraff]

Piggy was sensational but you’ve got to check out their last three albums. Brilliant stuff.

[@sixstringer3783]

I have Nothing Face the last riff was super kool horror movie music is right another great choice for METAL MONTH 👌 👏🤘

[@ar156]

Niice! Thanks for making this! Edit: btw, you should check out their newer material, the last 2 albums are killer, Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain has been doing one hell of a job on the guitar

[@voronOsphere]

The only man qualified to wear Piggy's shoes!

[@usagi2988]

"Nothingface"... I will *always* have an easily-accessible copy of this album to listen to... so good.

[@brettschacht4183]

My favorite Voivod album. Still keeps me guessing after 30 years of listening to it!

[@rtaylor1105]

was just thinking..nothingface

[@DemonDog444]

Don't forget Angel Rat

[@kwakester]

Excellent Canuck band and great lesson, thanks! Another cool Canuck guitarist and band is Paul Garvey from the now defunct band Beyond. Garvey then moved to California and started another cool band called phiend.

[@voronOsphere]

The arpeggiated section in "Nothingface" might be a little off, but definitely close! Anyhow, thank you, David!!!

[@tammymiller506]

Great as always

[@Busyfingers24]

Hell yea Dave, love me some twisted triads! Thumbs up for the scaries in the mancave👻🤣 Best Damn Channel Out There🤘

[@rockguitarlessonsforoldguy9040]

Awesome! Nothingface is my favourite album!

[@423Bruce]

Nice. Love this band. Piggy is def one of my top 10.

[@Boomsterblak]

Lovin Rocktober..Thanks..I got the newest album is done very well..gonna dig deeper..Thanks Dave

[@WizardofFuzz]

Exactly the lesson I was looking for, thanks so much!

[@geekmetal]

Nice! Been waiting for this one!

[@tristantzara3995]

VOIVOD HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF A KIND😀

[@SlingsAxes]

Thank you.

[@paulwally9007]

I had no idea Piggy was influenced by Crimson. This year I saw Fripp, and I also got to see Voivod three times.

[@patrickkish6662]

Good call for October

[@SuperJonSluggo]

Great one

[@jibicusmaximus4827]

your videos are great mate, i am looking forward to this one! i was searching 'musical analysis of voivod' should have come here first!

[@GreenJeepAdventures]

So...there is going to be a part 2 and 3...and 8 and 10 to this Voivod series...right? Thanks for doing this break down. Traded my Nuclear Assault tape to a buddy for Dimension Hatross back in 87. Been a big fan ever since. Their chords were so weird, I asked myself....is this jazz?

[@aquabot]

Yyyyyeeeessssss!!!!!!!!!! Finally! Now, do some Killing Joke chordplay, please.

[@lisandroramos3093]

Good David now you are in a real good metal band. You have to do more Voivod. The try Coroner T. Baron is a magnificent guitarrist.

[@dansimmons5382]

Hell yes! Ive been waiting for this!

[@dougstubbs4351]

I'm really digging this dude's style. With the flated 5th and the flat 2 I'm going to check out the locrian mode some more. There is magic in that overlooked step child of a mode 😂😆😂

[@GrayNeko]

Great job! I think that Piggy used an alternate tuning, no idea what it was. But you really got what we was doing! TO THE DEATH! !m!

[@antennical]

Your channel has popped up from time to time and I have really liked what I saw. You just popped up again and now I have to subscribe. Love Voivod and Chewy is a guitarist that is a perfect fit for the band. Obviously no one can replace Piggy, but you wouldn't know the difference. I love music that seems to difficult to play, but I try. Have you seen the new Robert Fripp KZbin lessons?

[@priestordeath]

Well thank you sir, That was a really helpful lesson to say the least!

[@orionblack]

dude new voivod rocks , this coming from a long time fan!! I truly believe that Piggy would definitely approve of new material.

[@arceneaux777]

NICE!!!!

[@thesnapperkeeper]

Great band 🤘🏻

[@PRAETORYANN]

I have some hardtime to play their songs.. the're out of scrope, the're from anothe planet, incredible music, awesome.

[@spookybaba]

Angel Rat album will always be in my collection.

[@voronOsphere]

I bought the "Angle Rat" CD out of the "cheapie bin" for $1.45. I was a bit underwhelmed/disappointed at first, and then I ended up LOVING the album. Amazing title track! Album produced by Rush producer Terry Brown.

[@stephenhester9804]

There's not been anyone like Piggy for throwing out some really strange sounds, I would recommend you check out their new Guitarist Dan Mongrain, he's stepped into the space Piggy left and really risen to it.

[@johnryan527]

, actually stupid question but can you tell what note it is simply by hearing it if so how do I obtain such powers as to distinguish an a to see,. An. F. To. A. To. An. E , and so forth such as pertaining too,

[@libertywormfarm3819]

Ask and you shall receive

[@FunkadelicPancho]

Chords of Candiria

[@letournomaks9756]

I think the guy knew he had to wright music and chords like Piggy in order to keep the band going

[@ThrashRebel]

The second example you give sounds almost dead on like a song by Coroner.

[@nilefly]

divine step

[@magnolia972]

i’m glad they never had an “Enter Sandman”. look what happened to Metallica after the Black Album. Voivod is my cup of tea since the mid eighties. i only skipped their material when Snake wasn’t in the band.

[@matternicuss]

Highly recommend giving Phobos a listen. It's easily the best album w/o Snake.

[@dougstubbs4351]

Hell yeah it's metal month in full effect. I hope Judas priest makes an appearance

[@reasonsreasonably]

Emerson Lake and Palmer's album Brain Salad Surgery - 'Toccata' is quintessential Voivod style, even more than King Crimson, Pink Floyd, and Rush, in my opinion. I hear more ELP in Voivod than Crimson, Floyd, and Rush.

[@dansimmons5382]

I would love to find some note for note voi vod lessons on you tube

[@letournomaks9756]

I just saw your introduction i just want to mantion that the guitar player who replaces Piggy who they call Chewy Dan Mongrain started his own band in the mid 90s Martyr has been realy influenced by Voivod i think they made the perfect choice to pick him to replace Piggy since he wrights music and chords just like Piggy did you can hear Piggy’s style in songs like obsolete being or post-sociaty check this out thans for the vlog 🤟☠️🤟

[@mercilessradio1770]

BTW, do you have tabs? Its hard to know what strings you are muting.

[@reasonsreasonably]

I love what you are doing, but you asked to have us correct you if needed. The riff in Xray Mirror is | o o o o - - | o - - o - - | o o - - - - | Subscribed, and keep it up. Appreciate what you do.

[@robertrafaj8790]

I love yoz❤

[@brandonlinhart6925]

Need some periphery!

[@blackwrits]

Gotham City chordplay

[@dsdaniels4727]

Great lesson, love this band!

[@corycourtney8923]

Maybe they didn't get big because their music requires attentive listening and technical appreciation, no?

[@robertdyer8517]

👇👇👇👇

[@MojoDudeX]

Thank you for pointing out the reason i don't like crimson

[@voronOsphere]

Crimson and Clover...

[@michaeljensen8211]

Now you do some good guitar 👍🤘😁 PSYCHOTIC WALTZ a social grace and their second album into the everflow you must dig into...... Man this is also good guitar and total rock 🤘😁