Review: Voodoo Queen

Up next are Voodoo Queen with their new album Violent Crown, and straight away it’s clear this isn’t just another stoner rock record – it’s a fully immersive experience, rich in mood, intent and soul. Built on mystery, power, and escapism, this album feels less like a collection of songs and more like a long, slow descent into something deeply human, introspective and unapologetically emotional.

The album opens with Morning Sun, rising slowly and softly, gently pulling you into its world. There’s a strong echo of The Doors here, not in imitation but in philosophy – every note feels necessary, vital and emotionally loaded. Layers build patiently before cresting into a crescendo, only to fall away and twist again as distorted chords return with fever-dream intensity. Chant-like vocals heighten the atmosphere before the track fades back into darkness. It’s bold, brave and demands multiple listens just to scratch the surface. An incredible opener.

Bright Cage ups the tempo and quickly locks into a more direct groove while still retaining that unmistakable Voodoo Queen identity. The first minute lets the instruments speak, and when the vocal finally enters it’s haunting, echoing, and instantly gripping. Then comes a chorus that genuinely stops you in your tracks – simple, jaw-dropping, and completely unexpected. Imagine Fleetwood Mac raised on grunge and hard rock, finally unleashed in 2026. The push and pull between restraint and intensity here is masterful, building to controlled chaos that teeters perfectly on the edge.

With Sad Attitude, the band lean into an offbeat rhythm before detonating into life. A minimalist, almost hypnotic verse pulls you under before the chorus soars. There are nods to Silverchair and Led Zeppelin, but they’re woven into something unmistakably their own. The chaotic solo section feels like something Cobain might have approved of – raw, emotional, but tightly controlled. Once again, the band’s use of space is exceptional, letting heaviness breathe rather than suffocate.

Free Way Out toys with the band’s signature layering and sparsity, lulling you into a sense of comfort before a Black Sabbath-inspired crunch rips the track wide open. What follows is a vocal performance so emotive it sends shivers straight down your spine. The interplay between guitar and vocal here is pure bliss, every note soaked in feeling. This is authenticity at its highest level – nothing forced, nothing wasted.

Between My Troubles drags the album deeper into doom-laden territory. Sparse verses and haunting vocals create a weight that’s crushing without being loud. The song grinds and hangs, echoing the fearless jam mentality of 70s bands who refused neat verse-chorus formulas. The final crescendo is staggering – one of those moments that simply has to be experienced rather than described.

The track titled simply I creeps in like an incoming tide, slow and inevitable. A darker lead guitar acts almost as a second voice before chant-like vocals emerge, full of urgency and loss. When the band finally lock in together, the song surges forward with epic force. Vocals shift from operatic to punk in seconds without ever breaking the band’s core identity. It’s dramatic, raw and genuinely moving.

Then comes Shine of My Soul, introduced by a riff so heavy even Iommi would nod in approval. This is a monster. The entire room starts nodding instinctively, as if commanded. Just when you think you know where it’s heading, the track deliberately falls apart mid-section, only to rebuild into something even more ferocious and unexpected.

Violent Crown is an album overflowing with emotion, restraint, power and imagination. Voodoo Queen don’t just write songs – they build worlds, sculpt tension, and trust the listener enough to take the journey with them. For us, this is our favourite band of 2026 so far, and we’re predicting very big things indeed.

The crown fits perfectly – and judging by this album, Voodoo Queen aren’t just wearing it… they’re ruling with it.