PW: Greetings and thanks for the opportunity to quiz you. Firstly it is impossible to ignore your past due to your involvement with Voivod. What circumstances led to you joining the group?

E: Well, A friend of mine in Toronto (Jeff Salem) was drumming with Saints and Sinners (members of Sword) in Montreal. He was good friends with Pierre Paradise who was Voivod/Saints And Sinners ex manager He recommended me to Pierre which led to an audition, as they were searching for a bass player singer at the time. Basically it was being in the right place at the right time and being ready. I went to Montreal, we just jammed for about 15 minutes, and they said that’s it. You’re the new singer bass player for Voivod, let’s go have a beer. What do you think? I was like “ya, cool, let’s rock!”

PW: How active were you in the recording of Negatron and Phobos? I believe you had a fair bit of input into the lyrics which make the albums so futuristic and indeed with the music, so alien sounding?

E: Well I contributed what I was able to, and allowed to. The majority of the music was Piggy’s creation. All the subject issues were Away’s ideas, so, I co-wrote the lyrics, in fact the majority of them and added a few riffs and ideas which were respected to complete the final result, Negatron! Pretty much the same for Phobos. Away and Piggy were very opened minded to my ideas which was very cool considering it was their band and they called the shots, which is normal when you join some one else’s band.

PW: What are your specific memories of the time, what are the highs and lows of your involvement with Voivod?

E: I have many good memories being in Voivod. It was an honour and privilege to be in that band. I lived and learned a lot. Got to travel the world about 6,7 times.+2 studio recordings, 1 live record, 1 re-mix record, and a 12 song demo (2001). I would have to say supporting Iron Maiden (Ed Hunter tour 99) in Canada and playing the Dynamo 96 were high moments. Australia was pretty cool, honestly it was an amazing journey in all, great spirit and professional atmosphere. The obvious low point was Aug 4th 98 when we had an accident in Germany but that’s life, I am still alive to rock and roll so in many ways I am lucky.

PW: I personally have rather miserable memories of catching Voivod on stage during this time at Dynamo Open Air festival in Holland 1996. It was miserable due to the fact that it was absolutely bucketing it down and it was the wettest, muddiest bastard festival that I personally have ever endured. Do you remember this show? I have a couple of tracks on video and you can just about make out the group through the driving rain.

E: Yes of course, I will never forget it. It was fucking awesome to be a part of that fest and to play that big stage. Funny, talk about Spinal Tap, we had no guitar tuner minutes before the show. I said to Piggy “Hey we got no tuner!” He says “ya I know.” We were suppose to start like 2 minutes later, I look at the crowd and say, “What are we gonna do?” Piggy starts laughing and says, “I DON T KNOW!” I was a bit nervous and Piggy was as cool as fuck, not even worried. Finally Galactic Cowboys leant us their tuner, seconds before taking the stage, a real funny rock and roll moment! You got some footage of that show? Away told me that there will be a Voivod DVD with the videos We did, including the Dynamo footage coming soon (so I am told) I am patiently waiting.

PW: You left the band following a really bad car crash I believe, what happened and how bad was this, I take it you have fully recovered from your injuries?

E: Aug 4th 98 is when it happened. The van rolled on the side of the highway as we were on our way to the Wacken fest. I was sleeping, the next thing I know I am at the side of the road in a field. It was horrible! I will never be fully recovered as my lower spine is permanently damaged but I can still walk and rock and roll to this day and keep my wife happy( on a good day ha ha ha). That’s life. It’s good to be alive. What does not kill you makes you stronger. Life is precious. I parted ways in March 2001 but I never quit the band. The guys told me that Voivod was over, never just for me but for every one…Well I did not believe it for a second…I knew Snake was coming back. Honestly that version of Voivod had kind of run its course. There were financial problems not to mention some realities that got really distorted in a big way! But I think that Voivod were better off with Snake/Jasonic giving Piggy a few more victory laps before his unfortunate departure. C’est la vie.

PW: Before we leave Voivod behind I just wanted your opinion on the last couple of albums. I know they are borne partly out of tragedy with the sad death of ‘Piggy’ Denis D'Amour prior to the completion of Katorz but I and many others really had trouble getting to grips with what sounds like a completely different band if anything playing grunge rather than thrash?

E: Well, I have only heard a few songs, and well, it’s not my favourite Voivod but at the time that’s what they wanted to do so out of respect, it’s good. The last demo I did with them is not like Negatron or Phobos but more like the Angel Rat vibe. Cool but not really heavy. I prefer the heavy Voivod although Outer Limits still kicks my ass.

PW: What I thought sounded like the musical progression of the Voivod that I knew and loved was the other projects that you are involved in. You formed E-Force in 2001 in Montreal, how easy was it to find the right band members for the project and I believe you found yourself very quickly signed to Season Of Mist?

E: Well, that afternoon (when I basically got sacked) I started to piece some music together, started composing some music with my beer drinking friend Bryan Donahue (ex-Homicide). We shared the same musical passion (thrash metal). Then my good friend Dan Lauzon (who has been a good friend since 93 when I played some bass for his band Entropy, weeks before the Voivod audition, the rest is history) joined followed by Louis Leveque (ex –Genetic Control) on drums. I knew these guys as friends as it is very hard to start something with other people when you are not that connected and there are lot of great players in Montreal that wanted to play Death metal, which is cool but not really my thing. Anyway, we did a demo and my girlfriend/now wife /co-manager hooked us up with Season Of Mist.

PW: It must have been a very difficult decision but just after this I believe you relocated to France where you currently reside. I guess this meant you had to pretty much start E-Force again from scratch and find a new line-up etc?

E: Yes, exactly. Due to personal and professional reasons is why I relocated to France. The future was limited with the first line up. However, Louis did come over to play a few shows and a fest in the USA but did not want to relocate so, that was it. Louis and Dan are still good friends. I have always admired the Euro way of living from my Voivod days so really I have no regrets being here, it’s all good and for the better despite a few more member changes etc etc.

PW: There is also Project Failing Flesh a band that I also loved and you can read an interview with Tim Gutierrez from the group on this very site www.metalteamuk.net/interview-pff.htm . How did you get involved with them and how easy do you find swapping ideas over such a great distance?

E: They contacted me and asked me to be part of their creation. All the conditions and music were amazing ! We have done 2 records and will do another in 2009. Basically all the music gets completed, they send me the tracks, I put some ideas to their subjects, I go to their studio in Virgina USA for about 1 week. We solidify the lyrics/melodies together and I just sing my ass off till it’s complete. It’s really cool to work with Kevin and Tim as they are total pros! I’m really looking forward to the next record. This band/music is killer, really it fuckin slams!! When a guy like Mille (Kreator) told me that he loves the 1st record, it really means a lot, coming from a pro like him?! It’s possible 1 day we will do some live shows if all the conditions are ok in the future.

PW: I have not got debut E-Force album Evil Forces (guess I should rectify that). How would you say things have progressed between this and new album ‘Modified Poison’?

E: Well, the guitar playing is more technical, in terms of “shredding” and there are a few different ideas on Modified Poison. I am very proud of both of the records as ‘Evil Forces’ might be a bit darker, ‘Modified Poison’ is heavier with a side order of “shreddzilla” so if you dig thrash metal with killer (Yngwie like) guitar solos then ‘Modified Poison is for you! Also there is a little black metal influence on some tracks and my singing is a little more experimental you will just have a listen!

PW: I have to admit that the new album has really done the job as far as I am concerned and has been a firm favourite since it dropped through my door. I was surprised that it was on such a (in my opinion) small French label. Although they have a fair few bands none are particularly well known to me. Personally I would have thought perhaps the likes of Season Of Mist would resign you or Listenable or perhaps one of the bigger labels outside France. How come you ended up on Thundering and I believe it is a three album deal?

E: Well the music business is very hard these days. We had other offers but Thundering offered us the best deal so we went with them. Season dropped us due to business reasons (meaning not enough record sales) but hey that’s life, it’s not easy today. So far so good with Thundering, we will see what happens in the future.

PW: Would you consider the label have given you the necessary promotional push? Although I am finding a few online reviews they have not been jumping out from the printed magazines I have read and it seems like it is you that is doing all the contacting to get exposure for the album?

E: Well yes and no, The label seems to be doing their best for E-Force but at the same time (being the team player that I am ) I am helping out as much as possible, I should say myself and my wife co-manager Nathalie Denaclara are. The music business is hard these days with all the downloading and 10 0000000 other shit bands taking up space it’s not easy to push a product with so much stuff going on but like Dee says “YOU CAN T STOP ROCK AND ROLL!!!” and like Bon said “RIDE ON”!

PW: What have reactions to ‘Modified Poison’ been like so far?

E: They have been great, a lot of people who like thrash metal really enjoy it from what I hear, there have been a lot of great reviews and comments, which is great. I do not expect to sell millions but to get some respect, fest appearances, shows and another record with Thundering is all I expect.

PW: I could have a stab at this but for once am going to shut up rather than try and be clever. Is there a concept behind the albums narrative and lyrics?

E: Well in some ways the subjects relate to each other. The world is fucked because of greed/£:$/manipulation /power etc. The title track ‘Modified Poison’ is about OMG/OGM genetic modified poison. Shit put in food for more $ profit because of greed all over the world. The food in the South Of France is different than say USA/Canada and other places in the world. However, Sarkozy is changing things. Other subjects like ‘Lobotomized’, ‘Malpractice’, ‘Deviation’ all relate to what I said before. 1 particular track ‘Agent 99’ is about a vision I still remember when I was in a coma 10 yrs ago of an Oriental woman with lizard legs telling me to come closer, well I did not. Good thing I did not or it’s quite possible I might not be here today, bizarre but true!

PW: One thing that really intrigued were the chilling female spoken parts on ‘Agent 99’ in the review I mentioned they reminded in tone of something similar to that employed by Norwegian black metal band Shining. Are they sampled from somewhere?

E: It was my idea to put something in that space/part of the song to fill it, not with a solo or whatever. So the producer sampled a few voices. I heard it and said “killer. Let’s go with it.” Yes they are from a few movies but due to copyright bullshit, it’s up to you to figure out!! Ha ha, but yes they are famous actresses in real movies not porn.

PW: You have a few upcoming shows in France, what are the chances of you getting a bit further afield perhaps joining a tour with others, has there been opportunities or are you perhaps waiting for the right tour?

E: Yes, I am currently working that out at the moment. It’s possible we might tour next year as a support act for a few somewhat famous bands but until it is confirmed I prefer not to mention which ones. “The right tour?” yes in some ways, I would prefer to tour with similar metal bands and not black metal or death metal bands but then again, these days you cannot be too picky. We will see what happens.

PW: I believe you have recently picked up a new drummer from the world of French Black Metal too?

E:Yes Alsvid (ex-Enthroned) joined last year. He is a real pro and understands the reality of this business; it is great to have someone with a lot of experience on board, as others in the past didn’t have.

PW: I can just about read the announcement in French (should have paid more damn attention at school) on your MySpace page stating that you are going to be laying down bass parts on the new and final Voivod album scheduled for 2009. How did this come about, was it a surprise to be asked and why is this going to be a final album?

E: Yes that is correct. Away contacted me earlier this year and asked me if I was interested in playing some bass along with Blacky/Jasonic on the next and final Voivod record. Well, of course I said YES!

I have all the tracks and just waiting for what songs to play…the songs sound like……………………………………….Voivod!!!!!! It’s a real honour and privilege to be a part of the Voivod gang once again, along with Snake/Away, to make the ultimate tribute to Piggy and the Voivod legacy. So, basically I am patiently waiting for the next step, whenever they are ready.

PW: What are your plans for the future, I was wondering if you were planning further involvement with Project Failing Flesh for a start?

E: Yes as I said before another P:FF record in 2009.
Some Voivod bass tracks for the next and final record (so I am told)
More E-FORCE dates.

PW: Cheers for answering all these questions, hope you might make it over to the UK at some point, beers on me. Anything you would like to add before you go?

E: Thanks so much Pete…What? beers are on you? God damn!! How about next week? Ha ha…No, I really hope to play the UK again sometime. Had some great times in the past and miss the UK actually. I would like to thank all the fans past and present and hope to see you all soon, thanks so much CHEERS ERIC

For more on the band check out www.myspace.com/eforceband
http://www.myspace.com/projectfailingflesh

Interviewed by Pete Woods

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