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Voodoo Circle: Locked & Loaded
Voodoo Circle - Locked & Loaded Album Art

Voodoo Circle: Locked & Loaded

Melodic Heavy Rock
4.0/5.0

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AFM Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 08.01.2021 | Released: 22.01.2021

Three years in the making, guitar wizard Alex Beyrodt (Primal Fear, Silent Force, et al) returns with his recurring personal project Voodoo Circle and a new album Locked & Loaded. The album also offers a return to the past with the crew from 2011's Broken Heart Syndrome featuring Beyrodt assisted by Matt Sinner (bass), drummer Markus Kullman (drums), and superb and veteran vocalist David Readman (Pink Cream 69).

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Voodoo Circle

Musically, Locked & Loaded sways little from past albums with Beyrodt and company delivering classic Eighties melodic heavy rock tempered with some blues, and often invoking a Whitesnake vibe. Beyrodt suggests to listeners that this album and songs is reaching for a more retro Zeppelin feeling. Maybe. Maybe not. I grew up listening to Led Zeppelin in the late Sixties and Seventies, and I'm not hearing it. But music is in the ear of the listener. You may feel differently. Instrumentally, Beyrodt comments that he reached for a variety of guitars in his collection to complete each song, from Fender to Les Paul to Gretsch. Needless to say, his fret work is sizzling and phenomenal. No matter what comparisons or allusions to Whitesnake Eighties rock that punters may make, I never tire of Beyrodt's creative and feisty guitar work.

Sampling a few songs, with Flesh & Bone, Straight For The Heart, and Children Of The Revolution you'll find some straight up fast and heavy melodic rock with groove. Some synth embellishment arrives with Wasting Time and Magic Woman Chile, adding to the density and texture of both songs. A personal favorite was the groovy blues of This Song Is For You, complete with an injection of Hammond organ. As Keith Richard once said: "If you don't know the blues, there's no point in picking up the guitar and playing rock and roll." Beyrodt plays the blues with skill and emotion. Most things considered, if you're a fan of guitarist Alex Beyrodt and his Voodoo Circle or simply like blues-infused, classic melodic heavy rock, you will enjoy Locked & Loaded. Recommended.




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The Bottom Line

If you're a fan of guitarist Alex Beyrodt and his Voodoo Circle or simply like blues-infused, classic melodic heavy rock, you will enjoy Locked & Loaded. Recommended.

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