November 8th, 2026 - His Imperial King's Voodoo Ranger

 

Hails and happy Sunday!  The Meista here rocking out to "Voodoo", the fantastic 8th album by the mighty King Diamond and a Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA from New Belgium Brewing Company!  Hells yeah!!

Album Info:

• Artist: King Diamond
• Title: "Voodoo"
• Recorded: 1997 at Norman Recording Studio in Texas
• Release date: February 24th, 1998 (8th studio album by King Diamond)
• Record company: Metal Blade Records
• Production: King Diamond, Andy LaRocque, and Sterling Winfield
• Album cover art: Kristian Wåhlin 
• Personnel: King Diamond (vocals), Chris Estes (bass, acoustic guitars, and keyboards), John Luke Hébert (drums), Andy La Rocque (guitars), and Herb Simonsen (guitars)
• Guest musician: Dimebag Darrell (guitar solo on "Voodoo")
• Musical style: Heavy metal
• Sound: Characterized by the King's extensive and unique vocals (and most notably his insane falsetto) coupled by the powerfully intense and complex musicianship of the band, the sound on "Voodoo" is brilliantly executed metal album with Hébert's machine gun fire drumming, Harbour's wonderfully thunderous bass, and the wonderfully soaring guitar of La Rocque and Simonsen.
• Major themes: A concept album about the Lafayette family, whose servant is secretly involved with voodoo and brings their downfall, themes on the album include the occult, magic, evil, supernatural forces, darkness, the night, possession, death, love, loss, sorrow, deception, betrayal, etc.
• Tracks:  

1. "Louisiana Darkness"
2. "LOA House"
3. "Life After Death"
4. "Voodoo"
5. "A Secret"
6. "Salem"
7. "One Down Two to Go"
8. "Sending Of Dead"
9. "Sarah's Night"
10. "The Exorcist"
11. "Unclean Spirits"
12. "Cross Of Baron Samedi"
13. "If They Only Knew"
14. "Aftermath"
15. Unclean Spirits" (hidden track played backwards)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: New Belgium Brewing Company (Fort Collins, Colorado)
• Website: http://www.newbelgium.com/
• Brew: Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA
• Style: American Double / Imperial IPA 
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 9.0%
• IBUs: 70
• Pour: The Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA pours a slightly hazy copper-amber with a 2+ finger, frothy and creamy, off-white head that displays lots of intricate and layered lacing throughout.
• Nose: The nose is dank, earthy, citrusy, and malty.  There are aromas of strong pine resin, grapefruit rind, tangerine peel, orange peel and juice, herbal tea, light stone fruit, graham cracker, and caramel.
• Taste: The taste is characterized by piney, citrusy, and malty flavors.  There are notes of fresh cut pine, pink grapefruit juice, tangerine, orange zest, black tea, bitter herbs, burnt toffee, and sweet caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp, yet oily with a bittersweet and slightly boozy finish.

Overall pairing: The punchy and aggressive, yet complex flavors and aromas of New Belgium's great Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA is perfect for the power and energy of the mighty King Diamond!  Those big pine and citrus notes are great for the straightforward rocking aggression, while the sweeter malt notes are great for the wonderful harmonies and overall grooves!

HAILS!!!