"War And Pain", VOIVOD's debut, was along similar lines as SLAYER or maybe even the first EXODUS LP, but I could certainly hear some hints of proto-death metal. "Rrroooaaarrr", on the other hand, is almost PURE death metal in my opinion. The vocals have become almost a "puking" style and the lyrics are destructive. Musically, there's still a SLAYER influence (maybe also a POSSESSED influence), but it's faster and heavier, plus VOIVOD has their own identity. I can imagine a huge group of deranged lunatics pillaging a village of unsuspecting wimps while listening to this tape. As far as I'm concerned, "Rrroooaaarrr" is just as important to death metal as "Show No Mercy" and maybe even "Seven Churches". Buy or die, if you don't already have it...

© 2000 bathym