Review by Josh Felty
Rating: ****
We Are Volsung, the newest release by Zodiac Mindwarp & The Love Reaction, is exactly what you would expect from a weathered British heavy rock group. There's honestly something for everybody in this one: mead and other spirits ("Die Pretty"), Norse and Anglo-Saxon mythology ("Stark Von Oben", "Tree Rider"), and poetic irony ("Kill Me a Mockingbird"). Personally, the highlight of the record was "Don't Touch My Guitar", a hilarious and yet poignant look into the psyche of a rock star who has his hands full with the groupies. Speaking of groupies, you'll find the sexual innuendo about waste-deep on "Key to Your Heart".
The greatest aspect of this album, and this group really, is that they're chock full of the venom and group chant/sing-a-long mentality of 80's hair metal. Think David Lee Roth era Van Halen with ravens, wolves, and the occasional bloodlust dialogue that had me musing, "Did he really say 'Let me kill you with anger/I love war'?" Those are not the exact lyrics, but you get my drift. If you've donned your headphones thinking you'll gain some higher philosophical understanding of humanity or hidden messages from Satan himself, you will sadly disappointed. But if you appreciate a raucous, phlegm-filled metal maylay you will fall asleep with a smile on your face. Me, I'm a gargantuan fan of anything and everything comedic or anachronistic in nature, especially music.
I also want to add a friendly welcome to my new music review colleague, Jason Norwood, an avid musician/songwriter in his own right. I truly appreciate the assistance, as I'm sure you, Faithful Readership, do as well. One can only stomach so much of my bitter music diatribes. Seriously though, I've read all of Jason's reviews thus far and they're amazing. Keep up the good work, brother!
For now, I bid you all adieu...at least until review number two for this week.