What can you say about the heir apparent to TROUBLE, ST. VITUS and THE OBSESSED? They are heavy as fuck, that's all. VOODOOSHOCK has done it again, on the flip-side by releasing this little gem of some older demo songs recorded live in 2000. The EP features two newer tracks, including a cover of the massive "Patra", by ST. VITUS, played at half speed (if that is even possible). The battle cry is, "Doom Shall Rise!", and let me tell you brothers and sisters, doom has risen. It even grabbed a beer, and is ready to take over the world in the form of the German doom machine VOODOOSHOCK. Guitarist Uwe Groebel (formerly of NAEVUS) works the six-string and mic like he received a doom-degree at the Wino/Sabbath school for the clinically insane. Current members Christian Speckler (drums) and Michael Greilinger (bass) are featured on "Fountain of Freedom" and "Cordial Vicinity". Previous members Stifferman and Merkle play on the four live tracks that open the record.

Personal favorite tracks here are, well...all of them. You see, this slab continues from beginning to end with mammoth songwriting and crushing riff after crushing riff. The good thing about VOODOOSHOCK is you can hear some very slight NWOBHM influences lurking here and there if you listen closely, along with a mix of early TROUBLE, SABBATH, and SPIRIT CARAVAN. Is that enough for ya? If it ain't, I don't think any of my reviews are going to help ya much. This is basically a must-have for doom fanatics, along with their full length debut on the same label. "Amazing Fire" could not be any more true doom than the first guttural noise that left Lee Dorian's infant mouth. "Cordial Vicinity" (from their split 7" with IRON KIND) could be on the soundtrack of "Train Wreck: The Movie". Never has the feeling of blood trickling from one's ear been more enjoyable. If the above descriptions don't make you want to obtain this fantastic record, or if you are one of those guys that say, "LED ZEPPELIN and PINK FLOYD are better bands than PENTAGRAM and BLACK SABBATH", well I just have one thing to say to you: Doom shall rise, and put it's foot up your rectum, twice. Go see your proctologist.

- Murtaugh

OFFICIAL SITE: www.voodooshock.de

RELATED ITEMS: VOODOOSHOCK - "Voodooshock", 2002