Louisiana-based band Vermilion Whiskey released their first album, 10 South, back in 2013 which heralded their blend of nearly every kind of rock you can think of, including Southern as the name suggests. A quick listen to ‘Bootleggin’ from that album summed them up as they release their third album in 2023, called Crimson and Stone.
If you think of doubting their southern rock credentials, their local album launch party in Lafayette includes a ‘crawfish boil’! Listening to this new album will also prove their roots are firmly locally based too. Try the latest single ‘Confidence’ to hear a heavy anthem built around the hefty riff and the vocal melody with a southern Sabbath-y edge bleeding lovingly through. Or, if you prefer to start at the beginning, (after a 30-second “intro”) the melody and sheer weight of ‘Down On You’ kicks it all off in style. My current favourite, the six-minute plus ‘The Get Down’, is a controlled cacophony of swamp blues, heavy rock and hints of grunge that combine to make a great song that will have you reaching for comparisons (I hear Ozzy, Budgie and Creed for example) but is 100 per cent Vermilion in full flow. To show they can do lighter/gentler stuff, ‘Interlude’ is a lovely instrumental of harmonised guitars, clever bass and percussion leading to a slow heavy, almost ponderous riff to conclude this, err, interlude. The other six-minute wonder is the weighty, almost prog epic ‘Dissonance’. A suitable title, as disconnects appear but fit perfectly to deliver more heavy, clever rock.
Vermilion Whiskey pull no punches – or wool – as they deliver a strong album of very heavy rock that should have broad appeal to all rock fans, regardless of genre bias.
Crimson And Stone is released on 26th May 2023.
