Looking back, especially after I was overwhelmed by the true fundamentals of Hard Rock music I just listened to on this album before you, I wish I was the one to review its previous contender. Not that I refuse to accept the opinion of the distinguished reviewer that reviewed the earlier album nearly two years ago, but it is that feeling that I should have been there to relish my wits with some Rock N' Roll crop. Never mind that. Thankfully, I was able to catch up with the sophomore release of the Italian crew of five that has been feeding their stomachs with late 70s and early 80s Hard Rock prominent icons as the progressed DEEP PURPLE, cranky, and smooth THIN LIZZY, pleasure and Blues driven WHITESNAKE and LED ZEPPELIN and the harmonic natured URIAH HEEP. Well that is a sensation folks; do be mistaken about that even for a minute. So let's get voodoo, walk it the VOODOO HIGHWAY style, and welcome their new breeding of "Showdown". Don't let the artwork fool you; within this gemstone bestowed one of the top notch British meets American influenced rocking stations that would put several of the old grinders to shame.

The basics behind "Showdown" are certainly noticeable and easy to identify, simplicity sounding just right and a whole load of catchiness. Other than the sound engineering that brought wonders, the other duo narratives aren't ugly or bad words, in particular not on this album, as I grant you that VOODOO HIGHWAY weren't sitting on their asses doing nothing while this thing was brought to life. Recapturing the classy spikes of the old days can be a rough task to maintain as the old habits that created classics isn't just a thing you stumble upon like a hole in the ground. In their benefit, VOODOO HIGHWAY have been influenced just right, attaining enough knowledge to exploit vintage formulas that amassed so much enthusiasm, energies and a whole lot of fun. Some would argue that they have been barking on the wrong tree, just like DEF LEPPARD did after their NWOBHM era of their first three albums going too Popy, or overly AORish like BON JOVI, and eager to please. However, VOODOO HIGHWAY seemed to know where to put the stop signs in order to not get caught in the web.

Matteo Bizzarri, in charge of the guitaring assignment, built the main riffing as quite easy to manifest, yet those were played so well and implemented in the right sequences, clamoring between Rock and the tip of the iceberg of traditional Metal, just in the nick of time. When it comes to the lead fretwork, it was like listening to a Blackmore or Page on pills, much vigor and amazing fusion of 70s Rock natural vibe and early 80s Metalized fervor. Hanging in the balance, as if like a clarion call, there was the organ / keyboards line of Alessandro Duò. Probably didn't actually play the Hammond as on DEEP PURPLE or URIAH HEEP, but it was enough to assert quite an ambience and additional harmony to the ecstasy of the music. Rhythm wise, I wasn't all that surprised. Bass sounded fairly regular to the genre, maintaining the hold of the rhythm guitars with slight variance from time to time, yet the drumming, though a bit far out of the 70s skin manning, thrilled the Italian clan with a little double bass action. Frankly, other than the guitaring, what amazed me most was the vocal line of Federico Di Marco. I watched the band's early video of "Running Around" from the debut, and he sounded quite fair, looking like Phil Lynnot but with a different approach when it comes to singing. Listening to "Showdown" proved to me how diverse this guy is, a remarkable tone of voice, rather thin as it would seem, but effective and tantalizing. There is a bright future ahead of this chap.

Essentially, VOODOO HIGHWAY appeared as if carved upon its skin to be a hit rolling machine. Their Hard Rock music is so flowing, easy to comprehend, a celebration of the old days under the hands of these young folks. With such 70s Rock annotations, this band didn't need more skill, monkey business or complex features for their songs. All that was needed was a pure Rock drive and plenty of retrospect. Although I recommend endorsing this chuck of Rock altogether, a few hinters in the image of "Fly To The Rising Sun", "Midnight Hour" and "Cold White Love", will show you the way to absolute freedom, a clear mind, sometimes heading in and out of the Blues, with a head held high. This one is certainly one of my top 10 candidates for 2013.

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