The Weathermaker Vault Series Volume 1

In 2019, Maryland hard rock stalwarts Clutch 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 Weathermaker Vault Series, Vol. 1. In typical Clutch fashion, the songs blend hard-charging riffs, funky blues-influenced grooves, and the bombastic vocals of frontman Neil Fallon. From the smoky Run, John Barleycorn, Run (found on a 2014 split single with Lionize) to beefed-up versions of old songs (Beale Streets Electric Worry, Clutchs Spacegrass, Slow Hole to Chinas Willie Nelson, and Pure Rock Furys 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 Lamb of Gods Randy Blythe for a blistering take on 1992s Passive Restraints. Of the covers, Clutch inject their trademark rollicking energy into songs by Willie Dixon (Evil), Creedence Clearwater Revival (Fortunate Son), Pappos Blues (Algo ha cambiado), and ZZ Top (Precious and Grace). Altogether, Weathermaker, Vol. 1 is a reliable blast for diehards and the Clutch faithful. ~ Neil Z. Yeung