Alex Beyrodt’s Voodoo Circle – Broken Heart Syndrome (2011)
I have four words to describe the new Voodoo Circle album, Broken Heart Syndrome, ALBUM OF THE YEAR!!!
2011 has already hosted some pretty good releases. Broken Heart Syndrome is better than all of them. Let me repeat that, BROKEN HEART SYNDROME IS BETTER THAN ALL OF THEM !
This CD is packed with fantastic vocals, stellar guitar work, and songs you will feel the need to play loud.
When Alex Beyrodt mentioned to me that he was working on a new Voodoo Circle album, after a Primal Fear gig in 2010, I had no idea that it would be THIS good.
With Voodoo Circle’s second effort, the band has taken the music in a classic hard rock direction that sounds like a blend of Whitesnake & Rainbow. From the heavy numbers, to the slower bluesy numbers, Alex Beyrodt and company have delivered a batch of tunes that will electrify your auditory cortex into sheer bliss!
I have been praising singer David Readman for years. I have been telling anyone and everyone that would listen to check out his band Pink Cream 69. After hearing Broken Heart Syndrome, the gentlemen in Pink Cream 69 may have to find a new vocalist. This may be the best Readman has ever sounded. His vocals enhance the incredible guitar work of Mr. Beyrodt like no other. There are many bands out there today, where I feel the guitar player and singer, work like a Yin and Yang to each other. I believe Alex Beyrodt has found the perfect vocalist for his band.
Alex Beyrodt has played on some cool releases in the past. His previous work in the bands Silent Force, and Sinner all have music worth investigating. In the case, of Broken Heart Syndrome, Beyrodt may have given career defining performance.
The opening tune “No Solution Blues” sounds like a blend of Sykes era Whitesnake . Alex Beyrodt blows my mind on “King of Your Dreams” where he shows off his skillful Ritchie Blackmore like playing. “Devil’s Daughter” taps into the soulful bluesier side of hard rock. Beyrodt’s playing on “Devil’s Daughter” makes the hair stand up on my arms. This is truly amazing stuff.
“Blind Man” has a really cool 70′s vibe. Beyrodt’s guitar tone on this song sounds very Hendrix like. This is a slow number, but a very impressive tune in it’s own right.
I don’t know how anyone could listen to “Heal My Pain” and not have a smile on their face. This is a short, little upbeat rocker with a great beat, and is kind of catchy too.
“The Heavens are Burning” is another amazing Rainbow inspired number that flat out rocks.
It will take a legendary effort to surpass this music found on Broken Heart Syndrome in 2011. The men who form Voodoo Circle may wear their influences on their sleeves, but when they put together an album as convincing as this one, I could care less.
Don’t miss out on, what I consider to be, the best hard rock record of the year! Highly Recommended!!
You can preview some of the songs from Broken Heart Syndrome at this link.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. No Solution Blues 
2. King Of Your Dreams
3. Devil’s Daughter
4. This Could Be Paradise
5. Broken Heart Syndrome
6. When Destiny Calls
7. Blind Man
8. Heal My Pain
9. The Heavens Are Burning
10. Don’t Take My Heart
11. I’m In Heaven
12. Wings Of Fury
13. Strangers Lost in Time (Bonus Track)
Voodoo Circle is:
Alex Beyrodt – Guitars
David Readman – Vocals
Mat Sinner – Bass
Markus Kullmann – Drums
Jimmy Kresic – Keyboards
You took the words right out of my mouth. I gave the same kind of review on my website. Simply a stunning album. It deserves to be HUGE!!!