Vermillion Whiskey
Crimson & Stone – C-Squared Music
If you like heavy riffs, chugging guitars, and slick solos with an old school rock and metal sound then we think this album is for you. These proud Louisiana lads have colourfully described themselves as southern-fried hard rock which admittedly gave us a chuckle. Some tracks are slightly reminiscent of Buckcherry if they had a grittier stoner style with a dash of the psychedelic. The instruments feel very much the centre piece however the vocals are paired well and all equally contribute to the storytelling within the lyrics and overall production. The album starts with a 30-second intro using voice samples, which occasionally spring up on other tracks with guitars acting as teasers. ‘The Get Down’, is such a flex of their talents but in the best way possible. The ‘Interlude’ starts off dark and brooding, becoming heavier and more energetic. This track takes you on a rollercoaster of the range and styles that they can produce. The last half of the album takes a different turn. ‘Dissonance’ stands out as it is quite somber, beautifully melodic, and emotive where you can feel the passion coming from vocalist Thaddeus Riordan. ‘Atrophy’ is probably the heaviest song featured. With ‘Hollow’ you can really hear the stoner hard rock influences seeping through. Crimson & Stone is a well-thought-out and composed album with many layers worth diving into.
Review by Aggy Gillon