Zodiac’s new album A Hiding Place
By Frank Poulin
Releasing today in Europe and on November 12 in North America, Zodiac‘s sophomore album entitled A Hiding Place comes hot on the heels of last year’s A Bit Of Devil ~ and not a moment too soon. If, like me, you couldn’t get enough of this German blues-rock outfit’s first full-length CD, I can tell you the new one doesn’t disappoint; in fact, it feels like a direct continuation, as though they just had too much great material last year to fit it all on A Bit Of Devil. In this second effort they again display the same ability to borrow from many styles and eras while keeping their own identity.
The album opens with “Downtown,” a single-worthy number that starts with a catchy country-rock hook but soon flows into much harder-hitting guitar riffs. Next comes “Free,” a 7-minute song whose last half is all instrumental with nice long guitar solos picked up by Janosch Rathmer’s kick-ass drums to a prog-rock-like epic finish.
The piano-driven “Leave Me Blind” is a perfect showcase for Nick Van Delft’s vocals. His trademark raw and heartfelt delivery makes this ballad one of the best tracks on the album, recalling the first CD’s 10-minute opus “Coming Home.”
The album’s closing track is a cover of Neil Young’s “Cortez The Killer.” Now, like many other timeless classics, this song has been done and re-done over the decades, not always to great effect; but in this case, I must say it’s a great fit for the band. They manage to impart a sorrowful-yet-badass feel to it that I never heard in the original and that I think is very well suited to the song’s subject matter and lyrics.
They say a fighter is not a true champion until he has successfully defended his title at least once, and that’s how I’ve always felt about recording artists as well: your first CD may have been awesome but your second one will prove whether you’re the real deal or the proverbial one-hit wonder. A Hiding Place is a clear statement that Zodiac is here to stay.
But hey, don’t take my word for it: The entire album is currently streaming at RockHard Magazine. Give it a couple of spins and you’ll see what I mean!