I’ll keep my first impressions with the band when I wrote my first review of their 2021’s album “Locked & Loaded.” They are a very interesting mix of Saxon’s “Innocense Is No Excuse” era instrumentals with the voice of Whitenake’s David Coverdale. The instrumentals are very pungent and intense as second track “Let It Rock” might tell. Interestingly, album warmer “Lay Down Your Lovin'” sounds a lot as “Rockin’ Again” if Whitesnake were to record it.
The resemblances between Voodoo Circle and Whitesnake aren’t casual at all. In the press release it’s possible to find this: ‘Without trying to disguise their influences, Voodoo Circle consciously follow in the
footsteps of these iconic acts and their great international status.’ But the reminiscences aren’t over, Rainbow, Ritchie Blackmore’s band after his departure from Deep Purple, told a tale, I mean, two tales here. As the press release says two of the twelve tracks were penned by former Rainbow keyboardist Tony Carey. Well, two songs sound a lot as the epic verve Rainbow showcased. They are “Billy’s Song” and tittle track “Hail to the King.” No, it’s not the eponymous album from Avenged Sevenfold. But, I guess, from where I’m standing rhe best moment of the album is the epic “Stand Your Ground” with strong guitars and a prominent chorus. The kind of song you singalong without realizing it.
I could go on and on telling about the inspirations of Voodoo Circle, but I won’t. I’d rather say the band represents – very well if you ask me – a long gone time. Who am I to say anything when the band itself assumes their inspirations? The thing is David Readman’s tone of voice reminds a lot David Coverdale and this is a fact. Instead of whinning he’d rather sing and use this resemblance the best way possible. The result is Voodoo Circle and “Hail to the King” which is a very good album considering only the music in it. Period.
Voodoo Circle “Hail to the King” will be released on November 15th via AFM Records.
Track Listing:
- Lay Down Your Lovin’
- Let It Rock
- On the Edge
- Sweet Little Sister
- Castles Made of Glass
- Stand Your Ground
- Black Country
- Billy’s Song
- Strangers in the Night
- All For One
- The Sound of the Eagles
- Hail to the King
Watch “Let It Rock” official music video here:
I’m just a lucky guy who has chosen metal to live with for a long time. Metal changed my life for good. It made me more confident and stronger. Metalheads are naturally far away from the mass mediocrity and don’t accept impostures from anybody else. Metal is more than music, it’s a life changing oportunity!