Wino is back. After Shrinebuilder, Wino teamed up with longtime friend and guitarist Jim Karow, drummer Matthew Clark and former Meatjack bassist Brian Daniloski to bring the stoned heavy in a new band, Premonition 13. Now, if the name Wino means anything to you, you can go ahead and skip the review because this is a no brainer for long time fans. 13 has Weinrich’s indelible fingerprints all over it. His stony swagger and face melting solos are abundant throughout the album’s 50 minutes of 70’s influenced stoner rock. For those outside of Wino’s fandom, 13 is a pretty damn good album of doom and rock and roll.

As far as Wino’s projects go, Premonition 13 is something between the Hidden Hand and Spirit Caravan. There are elements of classic and stoner rock with some doomy turns here and there. “Clay Pigeons” has a funky, head nodding rhythmic bounce that provides Wino and Karow perfect fodder for solos. “La Hechicera de la Jeringa” is the albums doomiest track, recalling (of course) the Obsessed and Black Sabbath. “Deranged Rock n’ Roller” and “Hard to Say” are ripping rockers while “Modern Man” has a seriously catchy groove and a chorus that is guaranteed to be jammed in your brain for days afterward. The rock relents on the album’s opening and closing tracks “B.E.A.U.T.Y.” and “Peyote Road”. “B.E.A.U.T.Y.” is solid but a starts things off a little slow. “Peyote Road”, as implied by the name, brings in some psychedelic touches and a denouement of layered guitars.

Wino and Karow have known each other a long time and have a great chemistry. Karow contributes vocals to a number of tracks, providing a subdued and soulful contrast to Wino’s more dramatic approach. The duo duel and shred as Daniloski and Clark provide a rock solid canvas for the two to trade solos. Wino has always been a solo player, aside from his work with Place of Skulls and Shrinebuilder, and it is great to hear him play alongside another guitarist he has genuine chemistry with.

Premonition 13 is yet another winner for Wino to add to his already significant list of accomplishments. Longtime fans should have no fear snapping this up. 13 provides sustenance for long time fans and an excellent starting point for the poor souls who are unfamiliar with Wino’s legendary resume (St. Vitus, the Obsessed, Spirit Caravan) before they chew through his substantial back catalog.

[Visit the band's website]

---

Comments