Hey guys. I just got to my first batch of CD's I will be reviewing on MetalAsylum for 2009 and I just had to share this one with you guys as no album in a very long time has left me this breathless. I figured this would appeal to a bunch of you and wanted some feedback from others who have heard it.
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Alex Beyrodts Voodoo Circle
Blistering Records
2009
Rating - 10 out of 10
As I type this review I am still trying to pick up pieces of my head which exploded when I first heard this album. Honestly, when I first listened to this album I got up to the third song and had to turn my car stereo off. Why you ask? Not because it was bad or I didnt like it but because it was so fucking good that I was actually afraid to keep listening to it! I just did not know what to do with myself. It is only February and I am saying right now that it is going to be extremely difficult to budge this album from my number one spot when it comes down to making my year end list. Any other metal band out there reading this who plans on releasing an album this year, you better bring your A game.
What we have here is a new band going by the name Voodoo Circle which was assembled by Silent Force mastermind/guitarist Alex Beyrodt. Alex has brought along some heavy hitters to do this project with him including Sinner/Primal Fear bassist Mat Sinner, drummer Mel Gaynor (Simple Minds, Gary Moore, and Brian May) and amazing Pink Cream 69 vocalist David Readman. The only name I wasnt familiar with is keyboard player Jimmy Kresic, who does a fantastic job. Now I have been a fan of Silent Force for years and own their catalog but I guess never really noted just how amazing Beyrodt is when he picks up the axe. I am not saying the guitar playing on Silent Forces albums is dull or uninspiring, but it just didnt grab me the way this does and with the Force it just went along with the overall sound. What Alex showcases in Voodoo Circle is Yngwie Malmsteen like shredding taking me all the way back to albums like Rising Force, Odyssey, and Trilogy. Alexs guitar playing coupled with Readmans brilliant vocals leave a smile on my face ten miles wide (yes, I got the ten miles wide part from Cherry Pie by Warrant) and causes me to realize what hard rock and metal has been missing, this is it!
The album opens with Spewing Lies, slowly building up to a guitar explosion that made me lose my mind. I was driving home from work and seriously considered pulling over and checking my pulse as I couldnt believe what I was hearing. It reminded me of the first time I heard Stratovarius which was Break The Ice off the Twilight Time album (which left me stunned) meeting Rising Force by Yngwie Malmsteen (off of Odyssey). When I heard Readmans vocals I seriously started beginning to say that this was too good to be true. The second track Desperate Hearts reminds me greatly of one of my favorite Malmsteen songs ever, Making Love from Eclipse, with its chunky opening riffs leading into a heavy yet slowly seductive tune with a strong chorus that sounds like it should be playing in an arena packed full of metalheads. The third track Kingdom of the Blind is perhaps my favorite on the album and at this point I am just completely numb. I feel as if I am floating through outer space as Alexs guitar playing hypnotizes me and Readmans vocal delivery in each verse is putting me in a trance as it is very reminiscent of Whitesnake main man David Coverdale. Dream of Eden has a very Egyptian feel to its opening adding a nice touch to the album and also features a guest vocal spot from ex Yngwie Malmsteen/Cornerstone vocalist Doogie White. When this track kicks in, arrangement wise I cannot help but think of a slower, menacing, heavier version of Deep Purples Perfect Strangers, just a hint of it. Doogie is not the only special guest on this album as it also includes guest spots from Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy, Dio, Whitesnake), Norifumu Chima (Concerto Moon), and Richard Anderson (Majesticm Space Odyssey). White Lady Requiem, the albums closer, is strictly instrumental and truly puts Alex on another level. After hearing this track, when I think of great guitar players Alex will instantly come to mind as one of the best currently out there. Alex has made me realize what a fraud half of the artists are who get labeled guitar hero. I would love to see half of todays so called metalheads try to digest something as amazing as this, go ahead, I DARE YOU!
This album is without a doubt a classic and there is no chance it will leave my CD player or be further than an arms reach away this entire year. I would love to see this band live and hope that they make it to the US at some point, maybe ProgPower USA next year? According to their MySpace they do have some live shows coming up so that is a great sign (lucky Europeans!) I very seldom give any CD a 10 rating, a band truly has to earn it and Voodoo Circle has done just that. If you are a fan of Yngwie Malmsteen, Rainbow, Deep Purple, or Whitesnake it is a must that you own this album. If you are a fan of hard rock or heavy metal in general it is a must that you own this album. If you do not own this album do not talk to me until you do!
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Alex Beyrodts Voodoo Circle
Blistering Records
2009
Rating - 10 out of 10
As I type this review I am still trying to pick up pieces of my head which exploded when I first heard this album. Honestly, when I first listened to this album I got up to the third song and had to turn my car stereo off. Why you ask? Not because it was bad or I didnt like it but because it was so fucking good that I was actually afraid to keep listening to it! I just did not know what to do with myself. It is only February and I am saying right now that it is going to be extremely difficult to budge this album from my number one spot when it comes down to making my year end list. Any other metal band out there reading this who plans on releasing an album this year, you better bring your A game.
What we have here is a new band going by the name Voodoo Circle which was assembled by Silent Force mastermind/guitarist Alex Beyrodt. Alex has brought along some heavy hitters to do this project with him including Sinner/Primal Fear bassist Mat Sinner, drummer Mel Gaynor (Simple Minds, Gary Moore, and Brian May) and amazing Pink Cream 69 vocalist David Readman. The only name I wasnt familiar with is keyboard player Jimmy Kresic, who does a fantastic job. Now I have been a fan of Silent Force for years and own their catalog but I guess never really noted just how amazing Beyrodt is when he picks up the axe. I am not saying the guitar playing on Silent Forces albums is dull or uninspiring, but it just didnt grab me the way this does and with the Force it just went along with the overall sound. What Alex showcases in Voodoo Circle is Yngwie Malmsteen like shredding taking me all the way back to albums like Rising Force, Odyssey, and Trilogy. Alexs guitar playing coupled with Readmans brilliant vocals leave a smile on my face ten miles wide (yes, I got the ten miles wide part from Cherry Pie by Warrant) and causes me to realize what hard rock and metal has been missing, this is it!
The album opens with Spewing Lies, slowly building up to a guitar explosion that made me lose my mind. I was driving home from work and seriously considered pulling over and checking my pulse as I couldnt believe what I was hearing. It reminded me of the first time I heard Stratovarius which was Break The Ice off the Twilight Time album (which left me stunned) meeting Rising Force by Yngwie Malmsteen (off of Odyssey). When I heard Readmans vocals I seriously started beginning to say that this was too good to be true. The second track Desperate Hearts reminds me greatly of one of my favorite Malmsteen songs ever, Making Love from Eclipse, with its chunky opening riffs leading into a heavy yet slowly seductive tune with a strong chorus that sounds like it should be playing in an arena packed full of metalheads. The third track Kingdom of the Blind is perhaps my favorite on the album and at this point I am just completely numb. I feel as if I am floating through outer space as Alexs guitar playing hypnotizes me and Readmans vocal delivery in each verse is putting me in a trance as it is very reminiscent of Whitesnake main man David Coverdale. Dream of Eden has a very Egyptian feel to its opening adding a nice touch to the album and also features a guest vocal spot from ex Yngwie Malmsteen/Cornerstone vocalist Doogie White. When this track kicks in, arrangement wise I cannot help but think of a slower, menacing, heavier version of Deep Purples Perfect Strangers, just a hint of it. Doogie is not the only special guest on this album as it also includes guest spots from Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy, Dio, Whitesnake), Norifumu Chima (Concerto Moon), and Richard Anderson (Majesticm Space Odyssey). White Lady Requiem, the albums closer, is strictly instrumental and truly puts Alex on another level. After hearing this track, when I think of great guitar players Alex will instantly come to mind as one of the best currently out there. Alex has made me realize what a fraud half of the artists are who get labeled guitar hero. I would love to see half of todays so called metalheads try to digest something as amazing as this, go ahead, I DARE YOU!
This album is without a doubt a classic and there is no chance it will leave my CD player or be further than an arms reach away this entire year. I would love to see this band live and hope that they make it to the US at some point, maybe ProgPower USA next year? According to their MySpace they do have some live shows coming up so that is a great sign (lucky Europeans!) I very seldom give any CD a 10 rating, a band truly has to earn it and Voodoo Circle has done just that. If you are a fan of Yngwie Malmsteen, Rainbow, Deep Purple, or Whitesnake it is a must that you own this album. If you are a fan of hard rock or heavy metal in general it is a must that you own this album. If you do not own this album do not talk to me until you do!
