Out of the tons of heaviness that I have been listening to, I needed the right pill that would take me back, and not a reissue soother. Recently I received the third album, titled "The Ordeal", of the Italian Hard Rock hypnotists, VOODOO HIGHWAY, a band that I crossed paths with years ago, with the release of their sophomore album, "Showdown". Right from the start it sounded like the wet dream of any Classic Rock or vintage Hard Rock fan. These guys proved that they have what it takes to revamp the proto-Metal years, back in the era of the now called giants. Moving on forward, after four years, "The Ordeal", issued by the Greek label Sleaszy Rider Records, had me return to the first time that I took a listen to a VOODOO HIGHWAY tune, and to my satisfaction, the song remains the same.

It looks that no matter how many years will pass, VOODOO HIGHWAY would remain consistent in what they do. Frankly, they don't have too much of where to go, especially since they have always been keeping their material easy enough to comprehend. "The Ordeal", which has a strong ambient mixture of DEEP PURPLE / RAINBOW / LED ZEPPELIN / BLACK SABBATH, enslaved the mind with its impressive grooving of the 70s, in particular the rhythm section, along with the songwriting vibe of the late 60s. On a few occasions there is even the British form of the twin guitar harmonies, which is an exhilarating aspect on its own, a true appetizer for the solo section. With all due respect for the guitar work indeed, and also the bass compositions that are mastery, Federico Di Marco once again took the show. The powerful frontman that wouldn't cease with his tremendous vocals, his produced melodies on some of the songs are as if he came into this timeline with a time machine. This band should cling hard to this guy, maybe chain him to a one ton steel ball if needed.

The thick layered main riff within "To Ride The Tide", which is the band's singular darkened moment of the release with a pictorial of the drugged fusion of the early 70s, took me off guard. It is a true show of hard driven BLACK SABBATH domination. "Grace Of The Lord" is a slightly higher level of both execution and songwriting, highlighting the groove of DEEP PURPLE, showing off a classic styled playing of the lead guitaring and bass. The vocal performance is probably one of the better that I have heard in a while. "Quietude" is a balladry platter that is not necessarily by the book. This is a laid back tune, somewhat stoned with a fine keyboards' haze. "Litha" on the other hand assimilated groove into the early 80s of the British proto-Metal movement, melodic and well written.

It has been evident that the vintage Rock days have been in the process of a comeback, truly old news. However, in every new wave, it is the survival of the fittest. In the case of VOODOO HIGHWAY, I see nothing to worry about, they are closer to the top.