Stoner Metallers VOLUME Cover Saint Vitus Classic Track SAINT VITUS For A Summer Series Of Covers

Hidden for decades, VOLUME unleash their rendition of a classic St Vitus song “St Vitus". Full of psycho fuzz and angst in only the way that VOLUME can do it. St Vitus was originally recorded for a Tribute in 2002 that got shelved and never saw the light of day. But now the time has come to share it with the world. It's the first single in a summer series of covers. 

If you like St Vitus and you also like your music fuzzy as hell with a heavy psych bent, this is the song for your ears. It is both faithful and unfaithful to the original classic all at the same time. Once you hear it you'll know why - play it loud like it was intended to be heard. 

Now streaming everywhere or you can get it at VOLUME’s bandcamp https://volume-rocks.bandcamp.com and from https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/volume5/st-vitus

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram | Twitter

WINO: The Documentary (Film Review)

Release Date: May 13th 2023. Film Company Details: New Terms Productions. Formats: DD/DVD

Credits

Director/Producer/Editor - Sharlee Patches

Review

If anyone deserves to have a full length documentary to be made about them is Scott “WINO” Weinrich and this film delivers on that premise. WINO is a legend within the Heavy Metal and Hard Rock scenes with his active participation of the respective scenes coming close to fifty years now. 

WINO: The Documentary is made by Sharlee Patches who provides an uncompromising and unflinching style of film-making with a Punk Rock spirit. The movie is not overly produced and matches the DIY aesthetics that WINO has been known for all of the bands and project’s he’s participated with. The film is unapologetic and highly controversial in places which the film doesn’t shy away from. As the film boldly shows a clip from 2012 where WINO predicts a man-made epidemic is forthcoming and the worldwide government plans to inoculate the population. Fast forward to 2020 and WINO still holds these views and he doesn’t mince his words. 

However, I knew what to expect of WINO’s personal and political views with the many great bands and classic albums he’s released over the last fifty years or so. WINO has always been a revolutionary and a free thinker within this Heavy Metal scene. Whilst his music can be vastly dark, his music can also be very uplifting and even life affirming.

This film has contributions from famous folks that WINO has worked with over the years and famous people who are fans. You have contributions from people such as Dave Grohl, Henry Rollins, FUGAZI and Phil Anselmo stating how they’re fans of WINO and commenting what an awesome guitar player there is and pointing out WINO probably doesn’t even realise this.

However, the film truly comes alive when Sharlee interviews and features contributions from his close circle of friends, family and most importantly - THE FANS. The view of the fans makes this documentary truly work as they all state - WINO is a truly humble soul and honest wonderful human being who would give you the shirt off his back. The film showcases this aspect many times with uplifting examples from fans of WINO’s never-ending list of projects such as Saint Vitus, The Obsessed, Planet Caravan and many others.

There isn’t a narrative as such for the film. As the film chronicles all the projects that WINO has been involved over the years with many of the key players who WINO played with at that time. The film is highly complimentary of the great man himself with contributions from Jason Taylor, Brian Constantino, Jimmy Bower, Dave Sherman and Bobby Liebling. 

The film includes all the classic hits that WINO is known for and the soundtrack is amazing with vintage clips of WINO performing many of these great tracks LIVE. The quality of these clips varies but all undeniably showcase that a wonderful performer that WINO really is. 

There are some moments that could make for uncomfortable viewing for some such as WINO’s interaction with a female fan on stage and WINO’s intake of illegal substances that took me by surprise. However, Sharlee showcases some tender magical moments with WINO enjoying time with his mother, his three children and interactions with his fans.

The documentary ends on a sombre and uplifting moment as Sharlee asks WINO why he has quit Alcohol and Drugs which he advises to live a healthier and longer health style. Which is great to hear and showcases the great man may have mellowed and is now living for the right reasons but he’s still a beacon of truth for the Doom/Stoner Metal community. 

With the promise of a new The Obsessed album on the horizon, I’m grateful WINO is still here and that he’s around for a long time to release more great music in the future.

Sharlee does a stellar job in creating a beautifully raw, unflinching and highly unapologetic film that pulls no punches from start to finish. This is one of the best musical documentaries I’ve seen since Such Hawks Such Hounds. WINO: The Documentary should be essential viewing for all followers of the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal scene. 

WINO: The Documentary is a true original, a bit like the great man himself. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the copy of the film.

WINO: The Documentary is available to buy now on Digital Download here and DVD via Wino-Art

Saint Vitus - Live Vol. 2 (Album Review)

Release date: September 30^th 2016. Label: Season Of Mist. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Live Vol. 2 – Tracklisting

1.War is our Destiny 03:47

2.Look Behind You 02:54

3.Let them Fall 03:34

4.The Bleeding Ground 05:26

5.Patra (Petra) 06:00

6.The Troll 05:49

7.The Waste of Time 05:06

8.White Stallions 05:38

9.Thirsty and Miserable 03:48

10.Dying Inside 07:22

11.Born Too Late 09:48

Band Members:

Mark Adams - Bass

Dave Chandler - Guitar

Scott "Wino" Weinrich - Vocals

Henry Vasquez - Drums

Review:

For the past thirty seven years, Saint Vitus have been THE quintessential doom band and have always excelled in a live setting and this recording of the band in their element during a gig in 2013 in support of their their brilliant comeback Lillie: F-65 album is a gift from the musical gods. This album follows their first live album (recorded way back in 1990) and shows why not only are the band so highly regarded as legendary figures in doom circles but they are refreshingly still as good nowadays and time has not blunted their edge in any way.

Mixing material from their classic albums, V, Mournful Cries, Hallows Victim and of course, Born Too Late with the newer material from the Lillie: F-65 album (which showed that the band were still at the top of their game despite such a long absence) such as the more up tempo Let Them Fall and the sprawling The Bleeding Ground, Saint Vitus deliver a lesson in doom from beginning to end.

When Vitus unleash classics such as the punked up White Stallions, The Waste Of Time, their revered cover of Thirsty And Miserable, Dying Inside and the closing, extended and utterly majestic version of Born Too Late, you appreciate even more just how good a band they are and how many bands they have influenced and the whole thing is a treat for your ears.

The sound is spot on throughout this performance with the band playing a blinder. Winos vocals are faultless and that signature guitar sound of Dave Chandler is a joy to listen to and with bassist Mark Adams and new (at the time) drummer Henry Vasquez (who replaced the much missed Armando Acosta) holding it down with the epic doom rhythms. Towards the end of the set, Wino asks "Are You Still With Us" and it is clear that everyone listening most definitely is. These are some of the greatest songs ever written performed with passion and class.

With Wino dedicating time at the moment to fellow doom legends The Obsessed, Saint Vitus are getting back together with original vocalist Scott Reagers (which is a treat in itself for doom fans lucky enough to see this) for a tour so it may be some time until this lineup is back in the live arena so until then, put Live Vol. 2 on, turn it up loud and enjoy the greatest doom band in the world doing what they do best.

Words by Gavin Brown

Thanks to Enrique at Season Of Mist for the promo. Live Vol.2 is available to buy via Season Of Mist on CD/DD/Vinyl now.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp