Review | Voodoo Circle – Hail To The King

AFM Records

Voodoo Circle’s – read Alex Beyrodt (ex-Silent Force and Primal Fear) – seventh album is called ‘Hail To The King’ and it is a MUST have album for fans of classic rock (Led Zeppelin) and hard rock bands like Rainbow, Dio and Whitesnake. Voodoo Circle 2024 consists of: Alex Beyrodt (guitars), David Readman (vocals), Alex Jansen (bass guitar) and Markus Kullmann (drums) and these four guys have made a more than excellent album; kicking off with the Whitesnake-like ,,Lay Down Your Lovin”, which sets the tone for this impressive album. Follow up ,,Let It Rock” is an up-tempo powerhouse, featuring Beyrodt’s excellent guitar chops, while ,,Sweet Little Sister” is a bluesy, sleazy rock song, with almost Coverdale- vocals and a very catchy and groovy chorus indeed. 

RAINBOW

Two songs on ‘Hail To The King’, being: ,,All For One” and ,,Billy’s Song” were composed by keyboard player Tony Carey (ex-Rainbow) and of course you can really “feel” that Rainbow influence, as ,,Billy’s Song” features really huge blues riffs, but most remarkably that classic Hammond organ sound. ,,All For One” is a 100% pure singalong hard rock anthem, so a coming live staple for Voodoo Circle for sure! ,,Black Country” is one of my favorite songs of this album; a Led Zeppelin-like anthem, packed with heavy blues rock riffs and formidable singing – hello Robert Plant – by Readman. 

,,On The Edge” opens quietly, but very soon we are again treated to some excellent guitar picking by Beyrodt, and the song evolves into a mid-tempo blues hard rock song with again some awesome singing by Readman, while ,,Castles Made Of Glass” again brings back memories of Whitesnake and especially Beyrodt’s guitar work reminds me of the still underestimated guitarist John Sykes! 

VOODOO CIRCLE – THE CONCLUSION

Finally, Voodoo Circle, end this classic hard rock album with another highlight, as the title track is again an up-tempo power track, almost an anthem with lots of energy indeed. So, overall, a MUST have album for loyal Voodoo Circle fans, but also for lovers of excellent well-played classic hard rock/metal, and of course play it LOUD!! 

Listening tip: ,,Sweet Little Sister.”

Release date: 8 November 2024