Review by Manny Manson for MPM
In the aftermath of their blistering performance at ROCK CITY BETA, the Nottingham-based duo, Whisky Stain, thrust their latest sonic revelation into the abyss of our auditory senses.
The band were unbeknownst to me until a serendipitous call to arms landed them the support slot for American Rock Band, The Bites, Whisky Stain emerged as a hidden gem within the pulsating underbelly of the local music scene. Fronted by the relentless Robert Lavington on strings and propelled by the rhythmic force of Luke Grainger, this duo have been weaving their sonic tapestry since 2011, leaving an indelible mark with catchy singles and the 2018, the 4-track EP, “Time Waits For No Man,” to note.
Fast-forward to the twilight of 2023, and the duo unveil their latest opus, ‘Do What You Came For,’ clad in an album cover featuring two dinosaurs—a harbinger of the sonic storm lurking within. The primal growl of dirty blues guitars, steeped in neolithic fury, dominates the landscape, unleashing a repetitive riff that echoes like a battle cry from ages past. The drums, akin to a relentless velociraptor in a China shop, stomp and groove with the subtlety of a thunderstorm on the horizon, setting the ominous tone for what lies ahead, all 3 minutes 58 seconds of it.
Lavington’s vocals, seemingly captured by the vintage allure of a ribbon microphone, exude a gritty edge that transports the listener to the sweltering swamplands of the deep south. As the chaotic visuals of a tumultuous relationship unfold, the stuttering monochrome imagery accentuates the relentless assault of sound. Each lyric, delivered with a bash-over-the-head intensity, weaves a tale of love that’s as unapologetic as it is raw—a visceral experience that drags you by the hair into its brooding depths.
The chainsaw guitar, a relentless force, repeats its primal call, steadily building to each chorus. Here, Mr. Grainger unleashes a maelstrom of percussive thrash, his drum kit a tempest of thunderous beats that powers the song forward.
Amidst occasional crashes of cymbals, each eruption serves as a lightning flash, illuminating the profound broodiness woven into the very fabric of the song. One can almost envision Lavington, pressed into the microphone, delivering his potent lyrics with a frenetic energy, unable to resist the urge to dance on the spot—a live spectacle that mirrors the intensity of the recording studio.
The song’s undeniable hook sinks its claws into the listener’s skin, every word delivered with a hymnal quality that leaves you hanging on the edge of anticipation. Grainger’s drumming, a melodic counterpoint to the relentless blues-drenched guitar riff, creates a balance that borders on the precipice of nagging—an incessant beckoning that refuses to be ignored. The bone-crushing beats and lyrical delivery culminate in a jaw-breaking smack against the head—an unapologetic assault on the senses that resonates long after the final note fades.
‘Do What You Came For’ is a sonic heavyweight, a testament to Whisky Stain’s unyielding commitment to raw, unfiltered expression. It stands as a dark hymn echoing through the annals of blues rock, leaving a mark on the listener’s psyche. Whisky Stain, although still carving their niche into the musical landscape, this latest offering is a formidable testament to their prowess—a sonic journey that demands to be experienced, felt, and succumbed to in its entirety. At which point I must add that the duo will be performing their own headline show at Rock City’s Beta on March 8th 2024, I’ll see you there, I’m not missing the chance to catch these boys again!
WHISKEY STAIN are:
Robert Lavington : Guitar, Bass, Lead Vocals
Luke Grainger : Drums
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDar96u0c5V6-nimFjI1Y0A/featured
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/whiskystain
Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/79XQBSU2e6nIp39Raxv1kv?si=CXdFiX00Tm2HTtMf6KszyA
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/whisky_stain/?hl=en
Tickets for the bands at Rock City on March 8th 2024 here : https://tinyurl.com/5f3rdu9c
