Super Vintage: Salvation Road

Salvation Road is the first full all-new album since the Greek band previously known as Hush N' Rush changed their name to Super Vintage and teamed up with US heavy blues rock specialists, Grooveyard Records. However with the utterly spanking compilation, Rock N' Roll For Your Soul, which rounds up the Hn'R years released to coincide with this album, really there's no excuse not to get acquainted with this hard hitting band.

One change between the Hush and SV line-ups is in evidence, bassist Giorgos Filopelou joining the fold at the expense of Panos Karathanasis, the latter a previously integral force alongside drummer Lazaros Simitsis. However Filopelou proves a more than able replacement, none of the classy power and force behind the soulful Southern style lost in the reshuffle. Two things are however noticeably different, firstly that the overall vibe is somewhat more considered, a slightly more relaxed, assured feel in evidence as things hit home through a more soulful persuasion. The second slight change may feel initially contradictory, however while the foot has been intentionally, and very slightly, taken off the gas, so the guitar power has been ramped up. This time "Broke" and "Better Days" for example have far more obvious pyrotechnical guitar solos, and while it isn't completely clear whether it's Stavros Papadopoulos or Panagiotis Zabourlis who is making his guitar cry for mercy (it sure ain't receiving any though!) on "Black Crow", the results cause you to gather your jaw from the floor. Something which I'm guessing is the influence of the G-Yard rubbing off on these authentically American rockers from Greece!

Don't think however that either of these slight changes in focus are negatives, the solos, while dextrous and full force, never a distraction or out of place. While the deeper, bluesier feel that's maybe taken some of the pace out of the more out and out rock the band specialised in, simply allows for a more passionate, and if anything, authentic attack. In all honesty you could dig in deep anywhere on this album and mine out a deep bluesy memorable number, "Holy Ground" adding a little extra countrified spice, "Wheels" rolling as hard as its very name suggests, whilst "Funk Yourself" howls and throbs in a way that has your hips grinding inappropriately! And that's not even taking into account the steamrolling groove of "Don't Give A Damn", the sideways stab of Americanised Zeppelin riffs that powers "Wounded Horse", or that Papadopoulos may be one of the best singers in this game.

The list of your favourite bands from Greece may not be that long (if you have one at all). However with Super Vintage delivering a sound that lives up to their name – and then some – be prepared to add them not just to that chart, but also right at the top of the one listing bands capable of busting out prime time heavy, hard hitting blues.

Track Listing
1. SALVATION ROAD

2. BROKE

3. BLACK CROW

4. WOUNDED HORSE

5. BETTER DAYS

6. HOLY GROUND

7. SEIZE THE DAY

8. I LOVE YOU LESS THAN ROCK N' ROLL

9. DON'T GIVE A DAMN

10. FUNK YOURSELF

11. WHEELS

12. ONE MORE DAY

13. QUEEN NEVER BORN

Added: March 2nd 2016
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Salvation Road at The Grooveyard
Hits: 2913
Language: english

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