Ozzy Osbourne, 1948-2025: “It was music that immediately scared me”, admits the drummer of Voïvod

Before becoming one of the big names in Quebec heavy metal in the Voivod group, Michel Langevin was a teenager of Jonquière crazy about music who, the first time he heard Black Sabbath in the early 1970s, was … Therefore, frightened.

• Read also: Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025): Heavy metal loses its godfather

• Read also: “We have lost our brother”: the members of Black Sabbath pay homage to Ozzy Osbourne

It was Ozzy Osbourne. In addition, in the joyful darkness where he certainly led after his death on Tuesday, who would be happy to read that.

“When I knew Black Sabbath with the first album, it was music that immediately scared me. Moreover, There was an apocalyptic side that I did not know. Consequently, Before them. In addition, I listened to music that was, let’s say, joyful, “recalls ozzy osbourne, 1948-2025: “it music the drummer of Voïvod, which we also know under the nickname of Away.

Michel “Away” Langevin, drummer of the Quebec group Voivod. Therefore, QMI agency archive photo

Fear is the same feeling that Luc Bourgeois (singer of Sandveiss. Similarly, a Quebec metal group has just opened to Slayer on the plains of Abraham) at first glance on the cover of the eponymous album of Black Sabbath, then when he put the needle of his Disk on the Vinyl and the Titre Song.

“She defined the group and the ozzy osbourne, 1948-2025: “it music whole genre. The song Black Sabbath is based on a triton [intervalle de trois tons. typique au heavy métal] And talks about an extensive event that Geezer Butler lived. It is clear that it was done to be afraid, ”he says.

Lost with Ozzy

In 2003 and 2008, Voïvod had the chance to participate in the famous Ozzfest d’Ozzy Osbourne. The Quebec group and Ozzy were shared at the time the services of bassist Jason Newsted, formerly of Metallica.

So at the top of its popularity thanks to reality TV The Osbournesthe prince of darkness was very well protected by his close guard. therefore almost inaccessible for the other groups participating in the festival, reports Michel Langevin.

He still had the opportunity to meet him by chance, in the corridors of an amphitheater.

“We had lost ourselves. We found our way together. His security team was happy to see him ozzy osbourne, 1948-2025: “it music again. I don’t know how he had done to escape them. We had jased a little. I introduced myself. He seemed to have a lot of respect for the journey of Voivod. He was happy that we are part of the tour and that Jason could make himself available. ”

A great melodist

Beyond his legendary and narcotic excesses, what should be remembered by the artist that was Ozzy Osbourne? “It had a natural ease of creating memorable vocal melodies,” replies Luc Bourgeois.

Lug Bourgeois, from Sandveiss Archive photo René Leclerc/QMI Agency

“He had ozzy osbourne, 1948-2025: “it music a sense of extraordinary melody, and that is why he had so much success. It also seemed to me quite humble. I have never seen him boast in an interview. He was especially very endearing and comical, ”says Michel Langevin.

Like many other heavy rock groups. he believes that Voivod would not have known the same career without Ozzy and Black Sabbath.

“We come from what is called the new Wave of British Heavy Metal – Iron Maiden. Motorhead, Judas Priest -, but before it happens in the 1980s, we each had fun playing black Sabbath. […] They have changed everything. ”

Intolerable for his parents

It certainly changed the sound atmosphere among the Langevin, in Jonquière, about fifty years ago.

“I liked playing the song Electric Funeral. Besides. when I knew Black Sabbath, I started to hit my battery stronger and I had to move it from my bedroom ozzy osbourne, 1948-2025: “it music to the garage behind the house. It was starting to be intolerable for my parents, ”laughs the musician.

Let’s agree, the parents of Michel Langevin are surely not the only ones who have cursed Ozzy’s music.