Path of Virtue is the debut World of Sound release from the German quintet known as Vvlva, who have risen from the ashes of the band Orcus Chylde. They are comprised of:
Tobias Ritter - Vocals
Philipp Muschal - Guitar
Dr. Michael Hock - Bass
Johannes Seidel - Drums
Christian Karl - Keys
These guys are as retro as it gets, honing in on a very cool '70s hard rock/krautrock/psych vibe that blends influences such as Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, Atomic Rooster, Iron Butterfly, Black Sabbath, Pentagram, and Bloodrock, as well as some of the newer bands like Witchcraft, Kadavar, and Graveyard. Think huge guitar riffs, commanding Hammond organ swells, plenty of groove, and high pitched melodic vocals, and that's the basis of their exciting, vintage styled sound. "Motel Floor" and "Cause and Effect" are upbeat, muscular rockers with plenty of guitar firepower and swirling organ, while the mighty Hammond is front and center on the epic, slightly proggy & psychedelic "Black Sands". The doom laden dirge "Cryptic Faith" is the perfect marriage of Sabbath & Purple, complete with gargantuan guitar riffs and organ, as well as tasty wah-wah leads, and the sledgehammer "Adam's Owe" is a rousing number that will please any fan of Demons and Wizards era Uriah Heep, complete with multi-layered vocals and heavy Hammond. The atmospheric title track again brings to mind the mighty Heep, with Karl's Hammond tones truly extraordinary throughout the song, and the album ends with the bluesy "Second Voice", a rootsy, atmospheric number with jangly guitars and effects drenched vocals.
Vvlva have knocked it out of the park here on their fine debut Path of Virtue, a fun collection of heavy '70s flavors that is easy to recommend to any fan of vintage styled heavy rock. Well done guys!
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1) Black Sands
2) Motel Floor
3) Cause and Effect
4) Dieb der Seelen
5) Cryptic Faith
6) Adam's Owe
7) Path of Virtue
8) Second Voice
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