Denis D'Amour

Denis "Piggy" D'Amour (September 24, 1959 - August 26, 2005) was the guitarist for the Canadian prog metal band Voivod from its inception in 1983 until his death from colon cancer in 2005, aged 45. His approach to music was anarchic and experimental rather than strict theoretical. He was trained in classical violin as a child. Influenced by prog rock artists such as King Crimson, Pink Floyd or Rush he created his own style based mostly on violin string power chords. He left more room for the bass parts to his bandmate Blacky. His bluesy psychedelic driven chords were very original as for metal and many guitarists declared he was major inspiration for them.

Death

In the summer of 2005, D'Amour was diagnosed with colon cancer. Subsequently, a routine operation was scheduled though several complications led doctors to suspect further problems. The cancer had extensively progressed, rendering any operation an unviable option. D'Amour slipped into a coma in the palliative care unit of a Montreal hospital on August 25, 2005, surrounded in his final hours by family and friends. Less than 24 hours later, the guitarist died at approximately 11:45pm.

Equipment

Guitars

• Ibanez Universe
• Gibson SG
• Liberatore custom made guitar

Amps

• Marshall JCM 800 Head

Effects/Pedals

• Digitech IPS 33
• Yamaha SPX-90 II
• BOSS SD-1 Super Distortion
• Ibanez DM-1100 Digital Delay

JOAO SA

Discography

Voivod albums:

• War & Pain 1984 (Metal Blade Records)
• Rrröööaaarrr 1986 (Noise Records)
• Killing Technology 1987 (Noise Records)
• Dimension Hatröss 1988 (Noise Records)
• Nothingface 1989 (Mechanic / MCA Records)
• Angel Rat 1991 (Mechanic Records) / MCA Records)
• The Outer Limits 1993 (Mechanic / MCA Records)
• Negatron 1995 (Hypnotic Records)
• Phobos 1998 (Slipdisc Hypnotic Records)
• Kronik 1998 (Slipdisc Hypnotic Records)
• Voivod Lives 2000 (Metal Blade Records)
• Voivod 2003 (Chophouse Records / Surfdog Records)
• Katorz 2006 (The End Records)