It has been a year since I reviewed Voodoo Johnson's Into the Red EP and Voodoo Johnson has since become a part of my life. The EP has been constant listening for me and together we have done things only reserved for the best of friends. We have smoked behind the bleachers at the local high school, Eiffel Towered Mary Jane, and drank until the wee hours of the morning in my room talking music. The sad thing is Voodoo Johnson and I have never hung out and I did all of that alone. Shit I am alcoholic!

Like my middle school girlfriend, Voodoo Johnson delivered a little bundle of joy to my life - their debut album 10,000 Horses. Unlike last time, I didn't run to Mexico and change my name to avoid ownership. I gladly accepted the package and immediately impregnated my iPod with their tunes.

Headstone sounds like how a front end collision feels - in your face, loud, and jarring. I was unprepared for such a powerful opening, but it is absolutely perfect. Voodoo Johnson had my attention and a vice grip on my balls. This hard rocking opener winds through mid tempo melodic parts, to a slow build in the middle. The drums played powerfully by David Barker are amazing. Thanks to the perfect production on the record, you can feel every drum beat low in your stomach.

Let's talk about the production for a second. The album is produced by Romesh Dodangoda (Funeral for a Friend, Bullet for My Valentine). Romesh's production on 10,000 Horses is money well spent. You can hear each member of Voodoo Johnson and the mix gels together beautifully. Romesh seems to have brought the best out of Voodoo Johnson and helped them create an atmosphere that captured their energetic live shows while maintaining their softer ballady side.

Another stand out song, and it is hard to pick since all are fantastic, End of the Empire is a superb song that shows the softer side of the band and is a great pop hit with a bite. There are elements of newcomers like Jet Black Stare and Royal Bliss in this song, but neither of those bands have the guttural backbone to their pop hits.Voodoo Johnson does.

Quickly I realize that Voodoo Johnson's sound is a bit different from their EP. It is mature, evolved, and heavier. My only criticism of Into The Red was that it stuck too close to a similar song mold. That mold has been thrown out the window in favor of a fresh sound. They have kept the core roots, thick rhythm section (Barker and Bellamy), grunge inspired guitars (Carlo and Pablo Gethin) and sultry broad ranged vocals (Kev Bayliss), but added a modern take on it.

Voodoo Johnson have the sound and the talent needed to be huge stars. They create memorable rock anthems designed to have you tapping your foot, singing along, and Guido fist pumping.10,000 Horses is the perfect soundtrack for that fast paced drive down the freeway, the stressful commute home, and that 20 second sex romp while you wife lays there and does her nails. Voodoo Johnson is a superlative hard rock band, which is evident on their debut album 10,000 Horses. 10,000 Horses is the best debut record from a hard rock band since Appetite for Destruction in 1987. Voodoo Johnson's debut album is solid all the way through just like Appetite and it showcases the hunger and desire of a band on the cusp of stardom.

You can preorder the album online here and with that you get a signed photo of the band. Important to have when these guys become a global phenomenon. If you don't preorder, you can get the album on August 23 through iTunes, but why wait? This album won't leave your iPod, car, or 8-track player for years to come.