By Maria Glover
Voodoo Six are set to release their latest album, ‘Simulation Game’, next Friday (6 March), via Explorer1. Mixed by founding member Tony Newton, the ten-track album was recorded at the Barnyard studio of Iron Maiden founder and bassist Steve Harris. Not for a long time have I so helplessly fallen in love with an album on first listen so trust me, it’s an absolute belter! They flesh out their melodies with orchestral arrangements, creating an album that is like no other and profoundly enjoyable.
‘The Traveller’ is a powerful opening track, with strong soulful vocals, lovely depth and warmth with a crisp edge. It’s high energy whilst dark and brooking with catchy hooks. The song takes you on a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, twisting and turning, and is so fresh and new it’s a joy to hear. I’m so excited for the rest of the album that my breath catches in anticipation.
The string section in ‘Gone Forever’ is beautiful and the vocals, just wow. Simple yet mesmerising riffs, this is a piece of rock n roll art and I have no doubt now that this is a very special album unfurling in front of me. ‘Liar & A Thief’ has a haunting intro then a deep, growling groove kicks in, bass-heavy just the way I like it. It’s impossible not to sing along; I’m singing like I’ve known this track for 20 years by the end. The strings are embroidered into the fabric of the sound, with the heavy riff maintaining that edge, and silky vocals with a gruffness that adds such character and warmth that I don’t care if he’s a liar or a thief!
‘Inherit My Shadow’ opens with huge drum and gentle chords, a softer vocal, sultry and sexy as hell joins in and the song rises and falls, the resulting sound passionate and real. The guitar solo is vibrant and exciting and by the end I’m left quite speechless. We hear the words ‘modern classic’ too often but actually this, along with every other track on this album, is surely exactly this.
‘Last To Know’ is another big production, with pounding drums and a riff that claws you into its lair. The angrier vocal broods and oozes emotion and the screaming guitar solo feeds my soul. The vocal has a grungy tint in ‘Lost’ and the instruments all blend together to create a wall of sound to truly get lost in.
‘Never Beyond Repair’ is a ballsy ballad, not too sentimental but the perfect blend of emotion and fire to suit the band’s style. There is a real intensity and an angry shoutier vocal in the middle. New nuances are discovered with each subsequent listen. I love it. Huge frenetic drums and a riff that melts your face off help make ‘Brake’ a fascinating synthesis of music that really pushes the envelope. Brooding verses are matched with a fast and furious chorus, the cadence and pulse is captivating and the strings sublime, almost ethereal after the change of pace at 4 minutes, where the strings come to the forefront before the drums and guitar storm back in.
I would say that ‘Control’ has another track with a hint of grunge about it. A high-octane track with a booming bassline and raw and desperate vocal, with a calmer melodious chorus, lends itself to compelling story telling. ‘One Of Us’ has a stunning melodic intro, riffs that embedded themselves firmly in my head, and an anthemic chorus. The production is huge, and the depth and texture combine to create an epic, feast of a track. I’m just sad it’s all over for now, but hell this album has been on repeat ever since I heard it.
The sound belies a London-based UK band, hinting instead at an American stadium-filling rock band, so expansive and well produced. The album is all killer and no filler, believe it, not something I say lightly. The band is a unit, no one person stands out from the group, but they form a tight, united front which will rock you to your core. Erudite guitar solos penetrate the beefy rhythm section, strings are peppered throughout, and all the while we have the most luminous and engaging vocals, broad and deep and so soulful it’s almost sinful. This album really is a step forward in the group’s sound.
The combination of killer songs and great production make for a very strong album. You can tell they put their heart and soul into this recording and if you die on the 7th of March make sure this was the last album you bought. You need it in your life asap. Sublime.
- ‘Simulation Game’ is released on 6 March. You can get your copy HERE.
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