Voodooshock
Voodooshock (CD) 2002 PsycheDOOMelic
PsycheDOOMelic Records is the new music label associated with Psychedelic 'Zine, one of the world's best proponents of trad. Doom and psychedelic music, so I sat down to Germany's Voodooshock with high expectations. Could they be met? Well, hold the damned phone, 'cause Germany's Voodooshock is crushing like a mile-high tsunami, moving in slo-mo and pulverizing everything in its path. The group features Uwe Groebel (formerly of Naevus) on vox and guitar, and Matthias Greilinger (bass) and Christian Specker (drums), both ex-End of Green. The Voodooshock sound is a combination of Doom's old school (especially Maryland's) with a hit of heavy 70s prog: Think Sabbath, Wino, Life Beyond, Count Raven, Obsessed, St. Vitus, Spirit Caravan, and Pentagram andcombine them with High Tide, Blue Cheer, and the NWOBHM. It's a pretty picture, yes indeed. As always, when one trots out these solid gold influences, the problem is originality. But, like the best of the genre, Voodooshock take it all in and churn out their own beautiful, doomed concoction. Standouts include 'Fountain of Freedom,' with its killer opening riff. Uwe's vocals sound uncannily like Danny Kenyon from Life Beyond, and believe me, that's a very good thing. 'Tomorrow's Bloom' gives you a big hit on the 'Volume 4' pipe, and the last three cuts slow it down in good blues doom fashion, for a properly mournful feeling. And don't forgettheir unexpected take on the old Moody Blues radio classic, 'Nights in White Satin,' which they quickly make their own, turning it into a mournful - yet still beautiful - dirge. The songwriting quality on this album is wonderfully consistent; there's not a bad tune on the whole disc, and the musical talent is first-rate in every respect. So just remember: the fortunes of death, black, and stoner may ebb and flow, but DOOM SHALL RISE!!	1. Fountain of Freedom 2. Rainbow Sky 3. Tomorrow's Bloom 4. Lady 5. Amazing Fire 6. Living in Paradise 7. Electric Mind 8. Showtime 9. Nights in White Satin 10. We Cry Approx. 61 minutes
Reviewed by: Kevin McHugh
Voodoom EP (CD) 2004 PsycheDOOMelic
Voodooshock, fronted by ex-Naevus guitarist and singer Uwe Groebel, is one of the psycheDOOMelic label's stable of up and coming trad. doom stars, rocking the doom like nobody's bidness, busting out classic influences from UFO, Priest, and Witchfinder General to Sabbath, Obsessed, Pentagram, Abdullah, and Cathedral. This is ultra-heavy, guitar-driven melodic doom, topped by clean vocals and served up tasty as ya please. PsycheDOOMelic really seems to be exhuming the vaults with their latest series of releases, and 'Voodoom' is no exception. The album is a reissue of their promo CD, with some extra tracks thrown in. The first three tracks are 2000 recordings of songs that were later re-recorded for their eponymous first LP. Next up is their cover of St. Vitus' excellent 'Patra,' a most successful effort once slated to appear on the ever-elusive Vitus tribute disc. 'Cordial Vicinity' is taken from their split with Colorado's Iron Kind. I can't really say why they threw in 'Fountain of Freedom' off their first album as an ending track, except that it’s such an excellent tune. As a friend for the group, I already had all the songs on this disc except the Vitus cover. However, that song alone is reason enough to fork out the necessary for this disc. But if you're curious about Voodooshock's vision of 70s-inspired doom, I'd recommend starting with their first album, then moving on to this one. For my money, the first album hangs together a bit better. But make no mistake: You NEED the 'Voodoom' EP. Not only is it great for collector geeks like me, but it’s the only place I know of where you can get that cover of 'Patra.' Dig.....	1. Showtime 2. Amazing Fire 3. Living in Paradise 4. Patra 5. Cordial Vicinity 6. Fountain of Freedom Approx. 35 minutes
Reviewed by: Kevin McHugh