Simplicity can captivate just as much technically sound material in the Hard Rock/ Heavy Metal world. Germany's ZODIAC for instance, on their first exposure to my ears, grabbed the sweet spot during the extended instrumental section of "Swinging on the Run" - the drum portion from Janosch Rathmer is very basic in a "Miss You"/ROLLING STONES groove, as Nick and Stephan jam out and trade off bluesy licks that feed off each other in 70's-like energy. Or check out the slide acoustic guitar opening for the deep, somber "A Penny and a Dead Horse". The band uses Nick's chilling melodies to carry home the front half of the song, while the rhythm section gets into a steady calvary gallop and Ruben twists in these organ looped elements to make this 7 minute arrangement a spectacular, memorable psychedelic number that I want to return to immediately.

The band admits they love modern acts like GRAVEYARD and RIVAL SONS just as much as digging back into the past of legendary bands, such as DEEP PURPLE, THIN LIZZY, and LED ZEPPELIN. You can "feel that groove" as Nick sings about on "Good Times" while also enjoying a drum roll from Janosch that starts "Holding On" that mirrors the start of IRON MAIDEN's, "Where Eagles Dare". These gentlemen just know how to keep things moving along and their musical chemistry makes for great, awe inspiring magic that you just want to hear again and again.

For only being together since 2010, ZODIAC has come a long way in a very short period of time. "Sonic Child" may be considered retro hard rock, but the quality will not be denied. Let's hope they are able to slide into the right opening slot situations and blow away a lot of audiences, as I'd much rather hear these songs blasting from car stereos than the same 35 songs that tight corporate bigwigs choose to shove down our throats.<