VOIVOD: 'Kluskap O'Kom' Video Released

"Kluskap O'Kom", the new video from Canadian progressive metal pioneers VOIVOD, can be seen below. The clip, which originally premiered at Philip H. Anselmo's Housecore Horror Film Festival in October in Austin, Texas, was directed by Syl Disjonk, who is best known for his short horror film "Ethereal Chrysalis". The director of photography was JP Bernier (DESPISED ICON).

Asked about the meaning of "Kluskap O'Kom", VOIVOD vocalist Denis "Snake " Bélanger said: "Sometimes described as a giant coming out of the woods, sometimes a monster in a lake or sometimes a powerful being that came from the sky, Kluskap is the name for this strange character and O'Kom is the place where he lives.

"Kluskap is inspired by a legend from a Canadian native tribe called the Micmacs. He once came to earth to kill all the Dinosaurs in order to help the humans to take over the planet.
"One day Kluskap will come back with another mission to the humans.

"There are many similarities between the Kluskap story and other legends from tribes all around the globe; stories told of encounters with beings from other worlds. This one is very unique, I thought.

"So here it is; Hear the thunder, it is me, coming back!!!! 'KlusKap O'Kom'!"

VOIVOD also released a seven-inch single for the song, featuring artwork from the band's drummer, Michael "Away" Langevin, and limited to 1000 copies worldwide. The b-side features a live version of "Kluskap O'Kom" recorded in Berlin on the band's last European headlining tour. The single comes in black, grey and black and white swirl colored vinyl and can be purchased here.

In related news, VOIVOD recently partnered with a local Montreal brewery to produce a limited batch of "Kluskap O'Kom" beer. Guitarist Dan "Chewy" Mongrain explains: "Frederic Cormier, the brewer and owner of Hopfenstark Micro-Brewery, and I had this Idea for a couple years of crafting a VOIVOD beer. This year, with the new album, 'Target Earth', and our 30th anniversary, the timing was perfect to celebrate and brew! So I asked the guys if they were into it and everybody thought it was a great idea! We sampled different types of ale, lager, stout, IPA, season, wheat etc to come up with the type of beer we wanted to do. We also talked about the concept and decided to associate the VOIVOD beer not only with the band's name but with a song from the latest opus. We chose Kluskap O'Kom, which is inspired by American-Indian legends and modern reality.

"We wanted the beer to have a taste from the woods, the terroir, so to speak. So Frederic had this idea of crafting the beer with Mugwort and Balsam Fir, which we ended up picking up in the woods.

"The beer is made with fresh ingredients; it's easy to drink yet with complex, well-balanced flavors.

"We just invited friends and fans to the release party in Montreal at Station Ho.st (bar owned by the brewer) and it was a complete success! Lots of people celebrating the 30th anniversary of VOIVOD, making toasts with a Kluskap O'Kom beer, listening to some VOIVOD, watching a two-hour [documentary on the] making of the beer, plus we had a surprise when our director friend showed up with a DVD to play the promo video of 'Kluskap O'Kom'!! It was a perfect magical evening... I ended up going to bed at 6 a.m... smiling. How could life be better than that?"