Zodiac Mindwarp (And The Love Reaction)
We Are Volsung

January 2011
Released: 2010, SPV
Rating: 4.0/5
Reviewer: JP

This is the first review for a Zodiac Mindwarp album on this site so a little back-story is in order. This UK band was formed in the late 80’s and hit the big time quite quickly. They signed with a major label right off the bat, toured, shot videos, and had good support and a big endorsement from Alice Cooper. For whatever reason things went south and the band continued to make a total of about six records infrequently on smaller labels over the last 20 years.



I had lost track of them but always had really enjoyed the debut EP and full-length. I’m really glad the band has found a stable home on SPV. They seem to have got a bit of a second wind as they have delivered a really strong rock ‘n’ roll record. WE ARE VOLSUNG captures a true, gritty rock ‘n roll show with my guitar slung low, kinda vibe. Ten songs, short and sweet, Zodiac Mindwarp (full name includes …and the Love Reaction) play a simple, loose and sloppy guitar driven rock sound.



If you are not familiar with the band it’s the greasy house band that Ted Nugent and actor Jack Black would dig. Apparently there were some connections to The Cult and I hear shades of The Dictators (and Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom, naturally) and perhaps Johnny Crash from LA. Anyone remember them? Singer, founder and Mainman Zodiac is a vocal powerhouse just dripping charisma. For an English act, they sure have perfected a predominately American sound, Southern, bluesy Hard Rock sound much like The Four Horsemen, Little Caeser and more recently American Dog.



Bands like this have so much heart, sincerity and balls the few of them collectively help keep real rock ‘n’ roll alive. If you haven’t checked out Zodiac Mindwarp in a few years, do yourself a favour and pick this up. God Damn I dropped a lot of names in this review!