VOODOO SHOCK „“Marie’s Sister’s Garden””

Music: Traditional Doom
Country: Germany
Web site: www.voodooshock.de
Cool Songs: Funeral Farewell, Miserable Mercy, Warm Knives Cut Deeper

“Marie’s Sister’s Garden” is the second full-length from Germany’s VOODOO SHOCK. It may only be the second proper album for these seminal doom peddlers, but members have been around the scene for many years. The group’s founder, Uwe Groebel fronted NAEVUS back in the ‘90s and released one album through Lee Dorian’s Rise Above Records. NAEVUS was a doom project in the vein of death/doom stalwarts such as MY DYING BRIDE and ANATHEMA. With VOODOO SHOCK, Groebel retains the doom vibe, but turns his focus to a more traditional style like ST. VITUS and BLACK SABBATH.

Doom metal seems the perfect fit for a band like VOODOO SHOCK who pens songs of such dark, depressive nature. Tracks like “You Don’t Need to Fear Death” and “Funeral Farewell” touch on the topic of death. The over-ten minute opus “You Don’t Need to Fear Death” shows Groebel illuminating his believes about the afterlife or lack of. “You don’t need to fear your death…there is no light” moves at a morbidly low pace characterized by falling, ringing chords. This track also features many changes in pace, utilizing a soft, background bass and light cymbal taps for a narration that gradually brings back in the loud guitar and crashing drums.

A Back-and-forth, Toni Iommi-like string work ushers in “Funeral Farewell.” Slow-moving drum bashes and high-end guitar notes enlighten Groebel’s words of bereavement. Climbing, atmospheric guitar notes lend the lamentable “Miserable Misery” a touch of CANDLEMASS’ gloomy genius. This track also showcases drawn out string bends of a demented temperament.

On “Marie’s Sister’s Garden,” VOODOO SHOCK constructs solid doom metal in the traditional sense. The music exudes a gloom and heaviness thanks to crushing drums, memorable grooves and massive guitar riffs. Groebel sings with a vocal tone that is accessible, falling between Wino, Ozzy, and even a tad bit of Robert Plant. Where Groebel and the band overall slightly falters is his inability to change pitch. He tends to linger around the same mid range throughout the duration of the album. There are a couple spots where he projects his voice. One comes during “I Need Rest” where he attempts a siren wail, but it comes across weak.

Collectors of the pre-death metal doom bands such as THE OBSESSED, PENTAGRAM and BLACK SABBATH should welcome this album into their collection. Just don’t pick this one up with the expectations of hearing something that rivals that of the above-mentioned bands.

note: 6.5/10

Tracklist

1. Please let all truth in your heart
2. Marie's sister's garden
3. Funeral farewell
4. Feeding flames with letters
5. Truth
6. Custommade but sacrificed
7. Miserable mercy
8. Warm knives cut deeper
9. I need a rest
10. Diamond Queen
11. You don't need to fear death
Total Playing Time: 57:36

Line-up

Uwe Groebel Guitar/Vocals
Ingmar Petersen Bass guitar
Claus-Peter Hamisch drums