Vermilion Whiskey – Spirit of Tradition
Self released – 2017
Rock, Hard, Southern, Stoner, Metal
Rated: ****
We still spin their 10 South album whenever that first spell of true summer weather comes around. Cause there is something truly southern and sweltering about that record. It took the guys from Vermilion Whiskey four years to deliver a follow-up. But holy hell, what a release! It’s called Spirit of Tradition and sports six hard working, hard rocking, hard trucking, southern infused, bourbon reeking tracks. Ooh yes, and they’ve also turned some of their ruckus into something heavily tainted with metal and a new age classic feel. Louisiana seems to have the best atmosphere to brew that fine American style pub rock music. It is soaked in that working man’s tradition. Those roots that go back to the blues and distill the soul for every righteous record. Though it also sports a lot of dynamic and a highly accomplished hard rock groove. The guitars ofcourse take center stage with tension building work, damn fine riffs and some tasty solos. But keep yer ear on those drums, as precise and choppy as you want them to be without becoming to overly focused on details, taking to the cymbals every time the emphasis needs to be on the whole. Crackerjack virtuoso! Hell, everything about this record is accomplished and you would not assume these cats would be hitting the rusty liquor that much. Well, apart from the one that always needs to sound like he spent a night too many in the gutter, the singer. Exactly hoarse enough, his voice definitely seems to exhume the alcohol of nights nobody seems to remember. But we are all damn sure it was a mighty fine time! And all in the Spirit of Tradition…
(Written by JK)
