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Archives for April 5, 2008

Voodoo Six – First Hit For Free

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London band Voodoo Six certainly has a passion for producing hard hitting rock music. The guitar riffs are powerful, the vocals come crusading through at all all times and never does this music ever fail to ignite. This album originally surfaced in late 2006, the band did not like what their then record label had done to the album though and therefore had a huge falling out with the record label of the time. The album was originally released under the name of ‘Feed My Soul’, this time around things are being done differently however and the album comes complete with the new title of ‘First Hit For Free’ and a brand new track included entitled ‘Faith’.

‘Faith’ was the lead single chosen here, released one week before the release of this album an impressive classic rock sound is evident here as all five members of the band smash their way through the five and a half minutes of this track with a great deal of energy and passion. It’s the perfect start for the album, and the fun certainly doesn’t stop here. Not once do Voodoo Six ever sound anything short of enthralling on this album, the music is full on and truly thrilling to listen to. Fans of the hard rock genre should absolutely love Voodoo Six, the guitar riffs are epic and every element of the music just seems to come together perfectly on this album. There are few bands that express such ability with their music, Voodoo Six are definitely one band that do however and I for one do not have a bad word to say about this fiery début album.

With every track on this album Voodoo Six puts forth an epic rock sound, a passion ridden display of love and adoration for the genre. These five band members clearly have a love for the sound that is being produced here, with each and every passing guitar riff you can feel the force of the band members passion surging through. The guitars are excellent on every single track, always the riffs progress forcefully and furiously as Voodoo Six slam through this truly invigorating album. Such proficient musicians are present within this band, each members experience shines through at every moment on this album and not once do you ever feel that the band members hearts and souls have not gone into the recording of this album. ‘First Hit For Free’ is an album of pure passion, belief in and love for the music that is here being created.

Vocalist Henry Rundell has such power to his voice, during every track his vocal excellence is very much at the fore of this bands sound. A true titan of the genre, Voodoo Six come across easily as one of the most exciting British rock bands that there is right now. Not one of this bands members fail to contribute on this album. ‘Mistaken’ is one of the lighter offerings on this release, the vocals are not as big and bold as they always are and the guitarists of the band are here given their chance to shine. They certainly take the opportunity that they are given here, and with every passing track in fact every musician of the band provides further evidence as to why they are a key component of this well oiled rock machine.

The music of Voodoo Six is always fuelled by a supreme love for the genre of rock, the passion can be felt at every moment on this album. Right from the offset when Voodoo Six cruises into this release with ‘Faith’ to the point where the album reaches its climax with supreme closing track ‘Slip Inside’; always a huge energy is here present. My opinion is that this band shall go far, so many poor bands do well for themselves and its only right that every once in a while a genuinely talented group of musicians attain commercial success also. Given the brand of hard rock that Voodoo Six produce, it mat well be the case that true success never does come for this fine specimen of a rock band; fans of the genre that hear the bands music however should absolutely love the explosive, truly impressive guitar riffs that Voodoo Six fires out on all occasions. Music is always at its most effective I feel when a genuine underlying current of passion can be sensed, this is most definitely the case here and with this ‘First Hit For Free’ album never does the music of Voodoo Six disappoint even once. Combining a true talent of guitar playing excellence, fine vocal style, and domineering drum beats; the sound that Voodoo Six produces is one that I feel should be listened to by all.

Label: Pebble Beach
Release Date: 24th March 2008

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Illuminatus – The Wrath of the Lambs

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Influenced by bands such as In Flames and Anathema, the music of Nottingham’s Illuminatus is an interesting breed of progressive metal. Instrumentally the music is quite interesting, vocally however the music can at times be a little lacking. Listening to this album reminds me a little of Fightstar’s ‘Grand Unification’ album sometimes, it’s very similar in terms of sound I feel. The problem is that Fightstar did this a lot better, the music isn’t bad but it’s not particularly great either.

The title of this ‘The Wrath of Lambs’ album had led me to believe that this album would be a little more heavy than this, more energetic also. I had an image of this band before I listened, an image that Illuminatus here fail to live up to. The music is quite tiresome, not enough really goes on within the sound in order to maintain your interest throughout the albums duration. The music is at times quite enjoyable, always however you feel as though the band is holding back a little with their sound. The music is tame and yet you feel that there is a ferocious force lurking within this band just waiting to be unleashed. Never does the music ever really let rip here, always Illuminatus are quite timid in their approach and the music lacks excitement and life.

Progressive metal of this sort if done well can sound excellent. The music of Illuminatus does not, it’s very mediocre and you just get the distinct impression that the bands members are not putting their all into this album. Illuminatus have an interesting line-up in that one of their members is English, one Spanish, one German, and one Italian; the problem here is that each member does not take their musical background and inject it into the heart and soul of this band. The music could be so much better than this, yes the vocals aren’t always excellent but at times front man Julio Taylor sounds fully competent in his approach. There are some sounds that his voice simply cannot produce, others however he executes excellently and if each member of this band works on their strengths then I feel that Illuminatus could well have a decent album in them yet.

Whether or not an impressive album will be released by this band remains to be seen; this ‘The Wrath of the Lambs’ album is okay but nothing more than this. Mediocrity will get you nowhere in the world of music, you need something about you in the world of music if you’re to get noticed as a band and producing the sound that Illuminatus does at current I fear that this band shan’t be progressing very far at all. ‘Wargasm’ is perhaps the best track that the band has to offer with this album, even this track is severely flawed however. Great moments of promise are evident on this album, particularly when the music of Illuminatus is at its most aggressive; never does this band sustain the strength long enough however for ‘The Wrath of the Lambs’ to be considered a particularly worthwhile purchase.

Label: Anthill/Pinnacle
Release Date: 12th May 2008

Rating:
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