REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: December 13, 2021

VOODOO CIRCLE – Locked & Loaded

This is the last review for a couple of weeks as I am taking a break for the Holidays. Thanks to all of you who have read and interacted with me about the reviews over the last year.I’m heading over to BC to spend some time with the fam. I will be visiting as many record stores as I can visit in the area while I’m there. So keep a look out for Insta and Facebook group posts to see what goodies I can find.

Formed in 2008 by ex-Silent Force, and now Primal Fear, guitar player, Alex Beyrodt, this band really smokes and this album is a killer record. Joined here by his fellow Primal Fear bandmate Matt Sinner on bass, Pink Cream 69 vocalist Dave Readman, and on the pots and pans, Marcus Kullman. A more melodic hard rock sound than the metal that Primal Fear are known for, in fact, I would say a point of reference would be Whitesnake- especially the Doug Aldrich era.

Opening track, Flesh & Bone, is a ripper of a song with an epic riff, superb melody and hook, and a rhythm section that shakes your bones. Wasting Time is a fantastic follow up with a really odd sleazy groove and monster solo from Beyrodt. Magic Woman Chile is a song that Coverdale wishes he could still pull off instead of resting on their laurels. I often wonder how a DJ like Eddie Trunk, who has a syndicated radio show promoting rock and metal music, doesn’t even bother to give bands as good as this a plug on his show. Instead he just keeps repping his mates all the time. Of course you will hear all the usual suspects that have inspired the writing of this album, but the band have made them their own with the writing of one of the best hard rock albums I have heard in a long while. I can honestly say I love all of this record.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

THE DARKNESS – Pinewood Smile

Who can forget the band’s appearance on Jools Holland’s TV show where Justin stood atop Joel’s piano while playing the solo to I Believe In A Thing Called Love? This was the moment when The Darkness exploded on the scene and have caused division in rock circles ever since. A lot of people hate them, and it’s obvious they have become an acquired taste, but I for one love them and they were a shot in the arm for a flagging rock scene in the UK.

They write some of the simplest songs imaginable and are so catchy and have you hooked in seconds, and then write tracks like Buccaneers Of Hispaniola that are so complex with grooves to shake your hips loose. AC/DC would have been proud of the riff and groove to Solid Gold – an epic hard rock classic with a great sense of humour. Southern Trains is all about their hatred of the local train company, and have turned a boring subject into a freaking awesome up-tempo groover. Why Wont The Beautiful Cry, lyrically, is another track where the sense of humour really is on point.

Japanese Prisoner Of Love opens up Side 2 and has a killer opening riff and groove before settling down into a very Queen-ish tune. Lay Down With Me Barbara reminds me of a seventies Steely Dan tune but with a very modern edge. I Wish I Was In Heaven is pure power pop nirvana, and the album closes out with Stampede Of Love which has a very southern country rock vibe and is somewhat of a surprise ending.

As I said earlier, you either love them or hate them.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.