Nothingface (album)
Encyclopedia
Nothingface is the fifth album
by Canadian thrash metal
/progressive metal
band Voivod
. It was released by Mechanic/MCA Records
on October 13, 1989. The album marked a change for the band, expanding their sound and exploring more progressive sounds. Several riffs are heavily influenced by Igor Stravinsky
's "The Rites of Spring", specifically the center section of 'Pre-Ignition.'
The band's most successful album to date, Nothingface is regarded by many as Voivod's best release. Nothingface was also the band's first album to enter the Billboard 200
charts, peaking at number 114. The album's third track, "Astronomy Domine
", which is a cover
of Pink Floyd
, was made as a music video
and received airplay on MTV
's Headbangers Ball
.
It has been speculated that the rock
band from Washington, D.C.
Nothingface
was named after this album.
Note: Two versions of this album exist. The original version combined an intro track and "The Unknown Knows" into one track. On the other version, both tracks were separated, with the intro track being the first track, which is followed by "The Unknown Knows".
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by Canadian thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
/progressive metal
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
band Voivod
Voivod (band)
Voivod are a Canadian heavy metal band from Jonquière, Quebec, Canada. Their musical style has changed several times since the band's origin in the early 1980s...
. It was released by Mechanic/MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
on October 13, 1989. The album marked a change for the band, expanding their sound and exploring more progressive sounds. Several riffs are heavily influenced by Igor Stravinsky
Igor Stravinsky
Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky ; 6 April 1971) was a Russian, later naturalized French, and then naturalized American composer, pianist, and conductor....
's "The Rites of Spring", specifically the center section of 'Pre-Ignition.'
The band's most successful album to date, Nothingface is regarded by many as Voivod's best release. Nothingface was also the band's first album to enter the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
charts, peaking at number 114. The album's third track, "Astronomy Domine
Astronomy Domine
"Astronomy Domine" is a song by British psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd. The song, written and composed by original vocalist/guitarist Syd Barrett, was the first track featured on their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn . The lead vocal was sung by Barrett and keyboard player Richard...
", which is a cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, was made as a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
and received airplay on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Headbangers Ball
Headbangers Ball
Headbangers Ball is a music television program consisting of heavy metal music videos airing on MTV2, MTV Australia, MTV Two , MTV Adria , MTV Brand New, MTV Portugal, MTV Finland, MTV Arabia, MTV Norway, MTV Sweden, MTV Denmark, MTV Greece, MTV Türkiye, MTV...
.
It has been speculated that the rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band from Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Nothingface
Nothingface
Nothingface was a four-piece metal band from Washington, D.C. noted for having graphic lyrics and occasionally using political themes in their later works, as well as polyrhythmic songs.-First Run:...
was named after this album.
Track listing
- All songs written by Voivod except where indicated.
- "The Unknown Knows" – 5:55
- "Nothingface" – 4:14
- "Astronomy DomineAstronomy Domine"Astronomy Domine" is a song by British psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd. The song, written and composed by original vocalist/guitarist Syd Barrett, was the first track featured on their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn . The lead vocal was sung by Barrett and keyboard player Richard...
" (BarrettSyd BarrettSyd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
) – 5:30 (Pink FloydPink FloydPink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
cover) - "Missing Sequences" – 5:50
- "X-Ray Mirror" – 4:28
- "Inner Combustion" – 3:48
- "Pre-Ignition" – 5:12
- "Into My Hypercube" – 5:04
- "Sub-Effect" – 4:30
Note: Two versions of this album exist. The original version combined an intro track and "The Unknown Knows" into one track. On the other version, both tracks were separated, with the intro track being the first track, which is followed by "The Unknown Knows".
Credits
- Denis BélangerDenis BélangerDenis "Snake" Bélanger is the vocalist of the Canadian heavy metal band Voivod.He helped co-found the group in 1982, and appeared on nine albums - War & Pain, Rrröööaaarrr, Killing Technology, Dimension Hatröss, Nothingface, Angel Rat and The Outer Limits...
– vocals - Denis D'AmourDenis D'AmourDenis "Piggy" D'Amour was the guitarist for the Canadian heavy metal band Voivod from its inception in 1982 until his death from colon cancer in 2005, aged 45. His approach to music was anarchic and experimental rather than strict and theoretical. He was trained in classical violin as a child...
– guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker... - Michel LangevinMichel LangevinMichel "Away" Langevin is a founding member and drummer for the Canadian heavy metal band Voivod. He has been a constant member of the band since its formation in 1982...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Jean-Yves ThériaultJean-Yves ThériaultFor the Champion Kickboxer, see Jean-Yves Thériault Jean-Yves Thériault played bass guitar for the Canadian thrash/progressive metal band Voivod. He co-founded the band and appeared on the first six albums – War and Pain, Rrröööaaarrr, Killing Technology, Dimension Hatross, Nothingface, and Angel...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Produced by Glenn Robinson