COME TRAIPSE THROUGH SOME SIMMERING RIFFS AND PROWLING GROOVES AS HOBART-MEETS-MELBOURNE TRIO VERTICOLI INVITE YOU INTO THEIR WORLD OF HYPNOTIC, PROG-FUELLED ROCK ON THEIR IMPENDING EP HEAVY - AND HERE'S WHERE YOU CAN GRAB A SNEAKY PEEK AHEAD OF ITS OFFICIAL RELEASE THIS FRIDAY.
For many, COVID-19 was the ultimate buzzkill, decimating industries, travel and my ability to interact with people in real life. And while the forced downtime and lack of live shows may have brought proceedings for many in the industry to a halt, for Tassie-meets-Melbourne trio Verticoli, it was a guiding hand to kickstart writing and recording for their impending EP Heavy. And while isolation may have spurred the journey to this new EP, the end result is a cohesive wonderland of booming might and cranking riffs, bustling with the potency of a double shot espresso shot out of a cannon at dusk.
Lyrically reflecting the inevitable isolation the band faced while all living in Victoria throughout the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, Heavy traverses and sharpens Verticoli's rockin' claws, from the menacing grooves of the title track Heavy, to nostalgic grit (End Of Days), emphatic rock drawl (Tremors) and thunderous riffs over creamy melodics to keep you continually enthralled (August). And while the rough and tumble rock licking around the edges may induce drooling from those who like their alternative 90s jams with a bang, there's equal parts polish and poise lurking as the trio deftly coil lush harmonies, steamy grooves and some heavy spice in their own particular fashion.
"This EP is the culmination of a lot of pent up creative energy during lockdown in Victoria. Some of the song ideas started before then, but the running theme of internal strife and finding your place in the world is probably even more fitting in our current climate” - Samm Hunn (Verticoli vocals/guitar)
Teaming up once again with the legendary Forrester Savell (Karnivool, The Mark Of Cain) on mixing duties, Heavy is a welcome addition to the ever-burgeoning pack of next gen Aussie rockers. And with their live show resume already boasting the likes of supports with Cog, DZ Deathrays, The Delta Riggs and showings at the Falls Festival and Party in the Paddock; it's safe to say it won't be long before we catch Verticoli taking their thumping tunes on the road to a town near you in the not-so-distant future. Verticoli's new Heavy EP will be released across all digital platforms this Friday March 26 - but in the meantime, you can grab a sneaky peek of the entire EP below before it unveils later this week. More info HERE.
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BY TIANA SPETER