The Weathermaker Vault Series, Vol. 1

In 2019, Maryland hard rock stalwarts kicked off a digital singles series, rolling out deep cuts, covers, and rarities, which they dubbed the Weathermaker Vault Series. The following year, with enough tracks to cobble together a decent compilation, they issued . In typical fashion, the songs blend hard-charging riffs, funky blues-influenced grooves, and the bombastic vocals of frontman . From the smoky "Run, John Barleycorn, Run" (found on a 2014 split single with ) to beefed-up versions of old songs ( 's "Electric Worry," 's "Spacegrass," 's "Willie Nelson," and 's "Smoke Banshee"), the band bridge the past and present in their expansive catalog, offering longtime fans almost a dozen gems to tide them over between official album releases. They even link up with 's for a blistering take on 1992's "Passive Restraints." Of the covers, inject their trademark rollicking energy into songs by ("Evil"), ("Fortunate Son"), ("Algo ha cambiado"), and ("Precious and Grace"). Altogether, is a reliable blast for diehards and the faithful. ~ Neil Z. Yeung