"VIVIsectVI" (pronounced "vivisect six") is the fourth studio album by Canadian electro-industrial band Skinny Puppy, released on September 12, 1988, through Nettwerk. The album, which explores controversial themes such as animal rights, chemical warfare, and environmental issues, was well-received and is often regarded as one of the band's best works. It produced two singles: "Censor" (also known as "Dogshit") and "Testure," the latter of which was Skinny Puppy's only song to chart on Billboard's Dance Club Songs. The album's release was followed by a notable tour with Nine Inch Nails as the opening act. VIVIsectVI is praised for its refined, harsh, and sample-heavy sound, earning critical acclaim as a significant release in the industrial and electronic music genres.
Following their initial releases, Remission (1984) and Bites (1985), Skinny Puppy began to focus more on social issues, refining their sound and message. The introduction of Dwayne Goettel on 1986's Mind: The Perpetual Intercourse marked a shift from dark synth-pop to a more abrasive industrial style. This evolution continued with 1987's Cleanse Fold and Manipulate, where the band explored ambient and atmospheric elements. Dave Ogilvie, who had produced previous albums, joined the band as a full-time member, and work on VIVIsectVI began in mid-1988 at Mushroom Studios in Vancouver.
VIVIsectVI saw a more direct approach to lyrical and thematic content, focusing explicitly on issues like animal experimentation, which was influenced by lead vocalist Nivek Ogre's personal journey from supporting to opposing animal testing. The album's title, VIVIsectVI (pronounced "vivisect six"), plays on the idea of vivisection and incorporates Roman numerals for 666 to evoke associations with Satanism. The concept of viewing life from an animal's perspective, first explored in the song "K-9" from their debut release, is a prominent theme on this album.
