Let's admit it - Southern Metal is fun. No matter your likings in terms of genres, it's an undeniable groove and "loose" feel, both musically and lyrically, gets you on the move. That is the case with Louisiana's VERMILION WHISKEY; a Southern Metal act that delivers what it promises. Their latest offering, "Spirit of Tradition", is a bona fide piece that represents the genre's strengths and there are quite a few of them.

It's a short album (less than 30 minutes) but full of goodies with high replay-ability value. Lyrically, the band focuses on life on the road (or on the run, your pick) and hanging out doing your thing without worry because life is too short and too unfair for you to succumb to the "get-a-decent-job-and-be-like-everyone-else" convention. No, all you want to do is hang out, get loaded with booze, and hit the open road that will lead you to your fate.

Their R&B-laden style is very appealing. "Road King" is an appropriate opener that sets the mood for things to follow. It has a strong involute main riff and a very good guitar solo. The vocals are just perfect for this style and, although not as apt in terms of range, they serve the song well and are highly expressive. Things slow down a bit on "The Past is Dead", and after the aggressive opening riff, the down-tempo kicks in with droning chords that carry the pain inherent in the lyrics. The rhythm is rather tight throughout the album but it never gets too polished so as to lose the authentic feel. The production is pretty good and all the instruments get proper attention. The overall sound is somewhat reminiscent of ANTI-MORTEM.

"Come Find Me" is a good example of the vibe this band possesses - a healthy retro vibe that seems as if it was taken straight from the great early 1970's, where Heavy Metal took shape and form. The most fantastic thing about it is the ease with which the band pulls it off, as it comes out naturally and is part of their DNA, not a clone. "Monolith" enters the territory of Traditional Doom Metal and is definitely my favorite track on this album. "One Night" is a simple, rock-solid track. Although it's nothing you probably haven't heard before, it maintains the band's original vibe and integrity and rightfully belongs in here. The final track, properly titled "Loaded Up," does get you loaded up. It goes pretty much similar to the opening track and closes the circle of this album, while keeping you loaded up and ready to hit the play button again for yet another round.

It's been 4 years since the release of "10 South," for years where the band has shaped it identity that culminated in the well-defined current release that is "Spirit of Tradition." It is definitely a step forward that opens a new chapter for the band, and I hope you will enjoy this album as much as I did.<