Zodiac – A Bit of Devil (2012)

Zodiac is a side project (or a real band?) of drummer Janosch Rathmer, who we all know from Long Distance Calling. While some musicians often just repeat what they do in their other band, in Zodiac Rathmer does something completely different. Where Long Distance Calling explores the boundaries of the instrumental post-rock, prog rock and a touch of the metal, Zodiac takes the listener on a musical trip to the swamps of the United States. To Louisiana. But we also pay a visit to Dublin. A few months the band already released a very nice EP and now we can listen to their first full length, ‘A Bit Of Devil. Eight songs of pure enjoyment.

Most remarkable man next to Rathmer is singer / guitarist Nick Van Delft. This guy has a great voice that fits the music perfectly. His voice sounds mature and is also powerful, pure and full of emotion. Sometimes he sounds angry, sometimes sad or melancholic. Van Delft is also a great guitarist with a great sound. Both his riffs and his solos sound perfect. And when he plays a solo assisted by the Flying V-parts of Stephan , you sometimes may think you are listening to Thin Lizzy’s ‘China Town’ (‘Carnival’, ‘Horror Vision’). The album opens with the matchless groovy riff of the title track (reminiscent of House Of Broken Promises). Such a sweet riff is also used in the pounding track ‘Diamond Shoes’, a riff Molly Hatchet and Lynyrd Skynyrd wish they would have played.

Zodiac perfectly masters several styles which is demonstrated in a cover of ‘Blue Jean Blues’ (ZZ Top). That’s the way the blues should sound! Also when they play semi acoustic they sound great, like in the dark, compelling ‘Thunder’, in which the band evokes an atmosphere which until recently was reserved for bands like Danzig and Kyuss. ‘Assembly Line’ we already knew of the previously released EP but this new version is even more convincing. Especially the Zakk Wylde – solo is phenomenal. My personal favourite is the final piece ‘Coming Home’, a song with an irrestible groove that will give you goose bumps. To me this is one of the great discoveries of 2012 so far. This band might succeed in appealing to a large audience.

1. A Bit of Devil (4:37)
2. Carnival (5:12)
3. Blue Jean Blues (6:48)
4. Horror Vision (4:54)
5. Assembly Line (6:52)
6. Thunder (4:45)
7. Diamond Shoes (4:52)
8. Coming Home (10:09)

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