German heroes make their bid for arenas on album number four
Say what you like about Munster’s finest, Zodiac, but you most certainly can’t accuse them of idleness.
In the four years since they released their debut record “A Bit Of Devil” they’ve stuck two other studio albums, a live one, toured the world and now they are ready for album number four.
And that collection – “Grain Of Soul” is huge. Huge on so many levels. Firstly it sounds great, massive arena destined hooks abound, but also because of what it might achieve for the four piece.
Because, here’s the crux of the matter. Where Zodiac have long been a mighty fine, kinda blues-infused, Bad Company obsessed outfit, now that doesn’t appear to be enough. Stardom is required at this point and if you intend to get in their way, then some big ol’ shiny riff is gonna crush you pretty sharpish.
It’s not that they’ve gone all Nickelback on us, you understand, just that Zodiac want to be big rock stars, and they don’t see why they shouldn’t.
“Rebirth By Fire” the lead track here is big, new and shiny, like the best Christmas present ever, and singer Nick Van Delft gives it his best Chris Cornell type roar in places, just, you suspect, for fun. If you thought that was fun, then trust us, you’ll just about go mad for “Animals” which possesses a hook so big you could hang your house on it and “Follow You” which adds a slam for good measure.
Frankly, there’s nothing demur or reserved about anything on “…..Soul” even the slower numbers like “Down” and “Get Out” can’t see what good being understated has ever done for anyone, and “Faithless” swings like a wrecking ball in a model village.
“Crow” like a couple of them – notably the aforementioned “Down – adds a southern rock element, and sounds not unlike Shinedown as it does its business, but for pure classic rock gloriousness then nothing is about to beat the three and a half minutes of hedonistic fun that is contained in “Ain’t Coming Back” the guitar work from Van Delft and Steven Gall not too dissimilar from that which you might have found on recent Slash albums.
That, surely, is a clue to where this mighty record is aiming – and it ain’t swinging from the cheap seats either. This is lavish and totally unashamed rawk. “Like The Sun” thumps and is only missing Myles Kennedy, “Sinner” is happy in the danger it creates, while the title track which ends things is meaty, muscular and testosterone fuelled and ready – at a moment’s notice to take Stone Sour outside for a scrap. Moreover it wouldn’t lose.
Zodiac are only headed one way. They are going to be one of be one of the biggest rock bands on the planet – or dammit they’ll have fun trying. It’s a case of when “Grain Of Soul” blows you way, not if.
Rating 9/10
