by Justin Gaines
– Sr. Columnist —
Melodic rockers Voodoo Circle help close out 2015 on a high note with Whisky Fingers, their fourth studio album. The band is, of course, the brainchild of Silent Force/Primal Fear guitarist Alexander Beyrodt and features an all-star lineup that includes vocalist David Readman (Pink Cream 69), keyboardist Alessandro Del Vecchio (Silent Force, Edge of Forever), bassist Mat Sinner (Primal Fear, Sinner) and drummer Tim Husung.
Voodoo Circle may have started as a project where Beyrodt could have fun with the classic, Bluesy Hard Rock that Whitesnake did so well, but over the course of four albums it has emerged as – a). a real band and b). one that’s every bit as exciting (if not more so) than the various members’ other bands. The core Voodoo Circle sound hasn’t changed though. This is a band that is very open about their influences, so expect another album with a strong Whitesnake vibe and traces of Rainbow and Deep Purple just for good measure.
Actually, if we’re going to extend that Whitesnake comparison (and we totally are), Whisky Fingers is to 2013’s More Than One Way Home what Slip of the Tongue was to Whitesnake’s 1987. They’re both very melodic and bluesy, but More Than One Way Home was instantly electrifying where the more polished Whisky Fingers takes a couple spins to really sink in. But when it does…oh man it really digs in deep. Readman’s powerful, soulful vocals, subtly different from the style he uses in Pink Cream 69, slither in like a (wait for it) snake, and Beyrodt’s melodies and solos are downright sexy. Del Vecchio is perfect for this kind of music as well. Check the Hammond action on “Heart of Stone” and you’re bound to have a Deep Purple moment. He also provides co-lead vocals on a couple of tracks, which gives the album some added depth.
As with More Than One Way Home, it’s almost pointless to list the standout tracks on Whisky Fingers since the whole album is so damned good. If for some reason you’re not familiar with the band, or just want a couple of shots of the good stuff before you buy the bottle, “Heartbreaking Woman,” “Medicine Man” and “The Day the Walls Come Down” ought to be more than enough to make you a believer.
Whisky Fingers goes down smooth, and lingers in your head like a good whiskey should. At this point, Voodoo Circle is doing Whitesnake better than Whitesnake does. If you love that classic ‘Snake sound, or just enjoy well-crafted, old school, blues-based hard rock in general, this is an album you need to hear.
Edition Notes: The limited edition version of Whisky Fingers comes in a digipack and includes the bonus track “Coming Home to You” and a video clip for “Trapped in Paradise.”
Genre: Melodic Rock, Melodic Metal, Hard Rock
Band:
Mat Sinner (b)
Alexander Beyrodt (g)
David Readman (v)
Alessandro Del Vecchio (k) (v)
Tim Husung (d)
Track Listing:
1. Trapped in Paradise
2. Heartbreaking Woman
3. Watch and Wait (I Got My Eye on You)
4. Medicine Man
5. The Day the Walls Came Down
6. Heart of Stone
7. Straight Shooter
8. The Rhythm of My Heart
9. Devil Takes Me Down
10. 5 O’clock
11. Been Said and Done
Label: AFM Records
Website: www.facebook.com/voodoocircle
Hardrock Haven rating: 9/10
