Hoodoo Man (Gatefold LP)

Whilst the first six albums from this Seventies taboo-baiting Prog Rock outfit are all well worth exploring, it is probably Hoodoo Man which best personifies the lightning-hot heavy Rock sound Birth Control were, during their earlier days at least, so adept at producing.

Featuring a controversial sleeve design, Hoodoo Man finds the German outfit in blistering form. Indeed, everything about the album simply exudes confidence, the improved production quality showing off the group's razor-sharp brand of manic, high-tempo Power Prog to ear-shattering effect.

The focus is very much on bristling grooves, crazed organ solo's and pumped-up riffs. Their galloping proto-Metal best emphasized by the crushing rhythms of "Suicide", the gloriously anthemic strains of fan-favourite "Gamma Ray" and, best of all, the charging organ-drenched groove of "Get Down To Your Fate".

Amongst their very best, Hoodoo Man comes highly recommended. Fans of Deep Purple should have no trouble in appreciating this album.