Review: Voodoo Circle – Hail To The King
AFM Records (November 15th, 2024)
Reviewer: David Mark Pearce
Voodoo Circle are back with their latest album – ‘Hail To The King‘, but they just as well have called it even more ‘Purple Rainbows‘ because at times it’s not just a tribute it’s a rip off!
I’ll explain, but first I am going to say I really like this band when they’re being Voodoo Circle, and I do mean when they’re being Voodoo Circle, Not Whitesnake, not Rainbow, Malmsteen, Zeppelin etc etc
Their influences have been loud and proud on previous releases but they’ve gone full tilt here! You’ll see what I mean when you get to the Title track, David Readman must’ve had to really concentrate to not sing ‘Gates Of Babylon’ lyrics over the whole track because apart from extended bits here and there the arrangement is waaaaay to close for comfort!
The track ‘Strangers In The Night’ is another ripped off arrangement aka ‘Slip Of The Tongue‘ and The opening riff to ‘Let it Rock‘ is ‘Bad Boy‘s both from Whitesnake.
I get that we as musicians let out influences out here and there but come on guys ……. Having a nod to a riff or a vocal lick is one thing but when you’re more or less taking a whole arrangement that’s just not on!
Anyway, I’m sure to fans of the band this is nothing new?
I just think this shows a lack of imagination from what are obviously talented musicians so I think they need to dial this whole influence thing back several notches
Ok on a more positive note and all that aside it’s a great sounding album, everything is played and sung superbly and the mix is spot on and the tracks that don’t sound like another band are really cool, ‘All for One‘ is really cool for instance but the rip offs just keep on coming and it just really put me off I’m afraid!
Tracklist:
01. Lay Down Your Lovin’
02. Let It Rock
03. On The Edge
04. Sweet Little Sister
05. Castles Made Of Glas
06. Stand Your Ground
07. Black Country
08. Billy’s Song
09. Strangers In The Night
10. All For One
11. The Sound Of The Eagles
12. Hail To The King
Line-up:
Alex Beyrodt – Guitars
David Readman – Vocals
Mat Sinner – Bass
Markus Kullmann – Drums
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