We've come to expect a lot from Scott "Wino" Weinrich. After helping shape the sound of doom metal with SAINT VITUS, THE OBSESSED, SPIRIT CARAVAN and a short stint with PLACE OF SKULLS, has he ever really let us down? If you haven't been following his latest project, THE HIDDEN HAND, you're missing out on possibly the most sonically varied and arguably most exciting musical project he's been involved with in quite some time.

After the diverse but undeniably heavy sounds of previous records "Divine Propaganda" and "Mother, Teacher, Destroyer," the opening tracks of "The Resurrection of Whiskey Foote" are a return home for Wino, of sorts. The sparse doominess of "Purple Neon Dream," "Someday Soon," "Dark Horizons," and "Spiritually Bereft" would feel just as at home on a SPIRIT CARAVAN record than a HIDDEN HAND disc. Wino thankfully handles the lead vocal duties on all the aforementioned tunes. Bassist Bruce Falkinburgh has a strong voice, and his vocal contributions on the earlier releases provided a nice contrast, but it's good to hear Mr. Weinrich being able to belt it out over the kind of music he was born to create. His presence is inescapable, and any bandmate, no matter how talented, can't help but reside in his shadow.

Don't let this make you think that this record is merely a retread of former glories. There are plenty subtle shifts made on "The Resurrection of Whiskey Foote" to expand the sound of the band. The biggest difference between this and prior HIDDEN HAND releases is the forceful and steady foundation provided by new drummer Evan Tanner. Tanner proves to be a more than able replacement for original drummer Dave Hennessy, who left shortly after the release of "Mother, Teacher, Destroyer." The band surely felt strongly about their new bandmate, as he is given a chance to shine with a drum solo in "Slow Rain," the track that closes the album.

Overall, this is another impressive chapter in an already legendary body of work. Don't make the mistake of taking Wino for granted, as the man almost always delivers every time at bat.

-Broadbent

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/thehiddenhandmusic

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