Dear readers, at the end of last year during the “Trex Roads Music Awards” I introduced you to this band as one of the bands to keep an eye on in 2025.
I interviewed them (you can find everything in the Independent Interviews section) and I began to understand that I was in front of some uncommon guys, with a talent that would not remain hidden for long.
They had anticipated that it would be a new music release and here I am to talk to you about the debut of these guys from Ohio: Bronson Hetzer, the lead singer and rhythm guitarist, Ryan Palcic on bass, Cody Doench on guitar, Cavin Kemble on the other guitar and “Captain” Craig Bishop on drums!
I have heard in preview their debut that will be officially released on May 2 and I thank them for the honor.
“Etheridge” is not only a debut with a bang, but also a heartfelt and dutiful dedication to Hetzer‘s late long-time writing partner: Etheridge Wilson.
The Filthy Heathens have the energy and electric shocks of Southern rock, but between the lines there is also an outlaw country soul that gives depth to the sound.
This slightly western soul introduces the album with the instrumental In Rides The Drifter which however immediately leaves the field to an electric shock that scratches the speakers: here begins the beautiful Little Pistol.
Killer riffs and guitar solos, groove and a voice that insinuates itself into the soul.
A rhythm that almost touches hard rock, it reminded me of a piece by Molly Hatchet, just to give an idea of the ferocity of their sound.
The central solo is truly splendid and the rhythm is a steamroller.
The next one is the first single I heard from these guys and that made me fall in love with their sound: Devils Like Me.
The almost gospel keyboards introduce a truly wonderful song that begins with the acoustic guitar and then a work of guitars and keyboards with a Seventies flavor.
A Southern Rock ballad that draws on all the beauty of this genre, including soulful choirs and a voice with an incredible performance.
I don’t want to repeat myself, but these guys have everything to take off as they deserve.
All I Am has an almost gothic intro and is a melancholic and dark ballad with Hetzer‘s voice that enters our soul.
A short piece, just guitar, voice and dark atmosphere, but that grabs the stomach for intensity.
This is called talent.
The next one is Outlaw: it starts as an acoustic ballad with an epic flavor, but then the beating rhythm grows, together with the voice and guitars, becoming a powerful southern song.
A passage appears that reminded me of the sound of Led Zeppelin, I don’t want to make cumbersome exaggerated comparisons or be blasphemous, but it’s the first band that came to mind when I heard this passage and the magnetic groove.
The solo is beauty and talent.
The next one is the second single already heard: Tupelo Sun and it shines like the Southern sun.
A riff that grabs you and doesn’t let go: the guitars and the rhythm embroider a pressing devilish sound.
Another solo to highlight that darts through the speakers.
It competes with the first single as my favorite song: if you love Southern Rock and American Rock, this alone would be worth it to make you listen to this EP and fall in love with these guys from the Midwest.
The EP closes with Always at The Bar: another ballad that grabs the soul and to which Bronson Hetzer‘s voice gives a crazy intensity.
A closing worthy of a debut that leaves that good taste in your mouth, that of having found a band that is here to stay and grow in the hearts of fans.
With their debut, Filthy Heathens confirm everything good I had thought about them: talent and passion at the service of a Southern rock that was really needed.
2024 was the year in which one of my favorite bands (and also of these guys) broke up, one that was a reference for Southern rock, Steel Woods.
Here, Filthy Heathens give us hope for the future, they are here to tell us that independent Southern rock continues and that young bands with electric talent are ready to take up the baton and shake the boards of the stages and the walls of your speakers.
#save the date: May 2!
Enjoy listening,
Trex
