Being a Hard Rock/Heavy Metal enthusiast born and raised in the southwestern United States, I cut my teeth on the sounds of MOLLEY HATCHET, .38 SPECIAL, BADLANDS, ZZ TOP, and BLACKFOOT, to name a few, and over the years, my affinity for Southern Fried Rock has never waned. With time, like all genres of music, evolution is inevitable, and this southern brand of hard rock has gradually progressed into an edgier, power-groove infused steamroller, I like to refer to as "Whiskey Metal". And whenever I hear one of these newer bands that incorporate into their music, the authenticity and southern swagger put forth by some of the greatest pioneers of the original genre, I get excited. Today, there is none better than DEVIL'S TRAIN. With the release of the second full-length album, simple titled "II", this band has had me dancing in the streets.

With bands like TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION, HELLYEAH, and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY leading the way in the "Whiskey Metal" revolution, DEVIL'S TRAIN is primed to be the next great band to become a household name in this blossoming hard rock sub-genre. Consisting of R.D. Liapakis on vocals, Laki Ragazas on guitar, Jari Kainulainen on bass, and Jörg Michael on drums, these guys play a bad boy boogie that can be best described as BADLANDS on steroids.

After hearing their self-titled debut album in 2012, I knew these guys were special and I have been anxiously awaiting the release of "II" like a married couple expecting their first-born child. This 13-song release is some of the most infectious, bluesy hard rock I've heard in years, and I listen to a whole lot of music. With Liapakis sounding like a modern day Ray Gillen and the amazing Ragazas chugging along with masterful wizardry, there's not a weak moment to be found. "Hollywood Girl" should easily be a charting single and "Gimme Love" is reminiscent of an up-tempo, classic VAN HALEN-esqe hit. But these guys strike gold on "Mr. Jones", one of my favorite songs I've heard in a long time. Starting off like a blues-structured acoustic track, this ear worm blasts into full BADLANDS-meets-BLACK LABEL SOCIETY mode and turns into a huge slab of "Whiskey Metal". This album is as ready for the "big-time" as any in recent memory, and had it been released in the mid to late 80's, it would have easily reached platinum status.

There are few bands that have left such a big impression on me quite like DEVIL'S TRAIN has and I expect 2015 to be the year everyone knows their name. These guys have the potential to become the breakout hard rock band of the year and this album gets the highest of recommendations that I give.

All aboard! The train is about to leave the station!<