Ahhh remember Invasion? A 3 piece London metal duo made up of one bloke, two chicks who played heavy jams that you could almost dance to. They reminded me of Big Business fronted by a soul singer and they kicked some absolute ass. The album The Master Alchemist rocked, they were a top notch live band and the only way was up for this stupendously unique outfit. Then one day they broke up, well I’m not sure if it was ever official but it seemed to just fizzle out. I never saw an official announcement but they just stopped playing gigs… gutted. However, a few months ago I was over the moon to hear magic was happening and the band were realigning in the forum of Vodun… Hurrah!! This meant Chan and Zel morphing Oya & Ogoun, teamed with some chap called Oli who takes his role in the band as GHEDE on guitar. What’s more is that they hit the studio early doors and recorded a 7 track EP entitled Eat Up the Sun, wonderful stuff!
You’ll all be happy to know all the magic that Invasion possessed still floats around in abundance within Vodun. The opening and title track ‘Eat Up the Sun’, introduces itself with a trippy sample before launching into the main body of the song which picks up from where Invasion left off, stupidly sludgy guitar matched with quirky drums and deliciously dreamy vocals! This time they have a heavy voodoo influence and get dressed up in wicked costumes which carries over into their sound. There is another psychedelic dimension which makes it an exhilarating listening experience, almost like they have been hanging out with Swedish psychedelic rockers Goat. The exceptional level of song writing is still there, very catchy pop tunes with not one bad egg. The second track ‘Red Flag’ is a prime example of this catchy chorus, which gets stuck in your brain (for fucking weeks) and is probably the best song on the album. The new guitarist has slotted in wonderfully, heavy as hell but presented in such a different context and of course Oya’s vocals are simply stunning.
The EP is free on Bandcamp at the moment so to not check it out would make you very foolish indeed. This is such a unique band with truly excellent songs which will get you listening again and again. The final track ‘Zaka’ plays us out with a hypnotic jam and confirms Invasion’s metamorphosis into magical hard rocking force which will bring nothing but joy to your brain and smiles to your face.
