Simon RushworthSons Of Liberty — The Detail Is In The Devil (Self Released)
In the Grimmett family, rock’s always run deep.
Dad Steve, who sadly passed away in 2022, was the voice of 80s powerhouse Grim Reaper.
And son Russ proves the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
If Sons Of Liberty were looking for the vocal heft to take the band to the next level, then Grimmett Jr proved to be the perfect appointment.
From start to finish his passion and familial power elevates The Detail In The Devil to a dizzying new level.
Flanked by twin axe attack Fred Hale and Andy Muse, it seems Russ has finally found the band he was always destined to front.
Josiah J Manning’s reliable mix ensures all three Sons are afforded ample opportunity to shine.
And it’s damn hard to identify a dud track on this Southern rock-soaked joy ride.
Rhythm section Mark Thomas and Steve Byrne never miss a beat as The Detail In The Devil jumps from one bona fide banger to the next.
Fist-pumping anthems, whiskey-drenched slow burners, affecting ballads and stadium-ready singalongs: this refreshing example of the NWOCR’s burgeoning scene has it all.
Grimmett might make the difference between good and great.
But let’s not forget he stepped into a band that were already seasoned vets of the UK’s live scene.
The stars have aligned for Sons Of Liberty and their irrepressible new singer.
And The Detail Is In The Devil is the sound of a chance grasped and an opportunity seized.
This really could be the record that launches a decade or more of swaggering momentum.
Sons Of Liberty’s creative freedom call
Where to start with the myriad highlights coursing through The Detail Is In The Devil?
Opener Time To Fly might sit at the heavier end of the Sons’ catalogue but with Grimmett at the helm it works a treat.
By contrast, the meandering Turn This Tide is awash with deep emotion — the slower-paced Southern rock piledriver is pure class.
There’s a Little Angels vibe underpinning upbeat party starter Tertulia Time and it’s no stretch to imagine clubs across the UK bouncing to this genius pop rock classic.
Ballad Walk With You reveals another layer to Grimmett’s vocal dexterity and the canny addition of a trusty Hammond is a touch of genius.
Hawk Men Come kicks off with a foreboding Maiden-style intro but the riff-fuelled acceleration never comes.
Instead, Grimmett pushes those trademark pipes to the limit as he resists the urge to explode — instead delivering something that’s as measured as it’s magnificent.
Sons Of Liberty were quick out of the traps with Animism and Aces & Eights and the raw potential was there for all to see.
But The Detail Is In The Devil sees the Bristol band blend that early promise with something that’s so assured it’s almost cocky.
Grimmett might be the missing piece but Sons Of Liberty are still a puzzle: just how have these hard rockers come so far, so soon?
