Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Verbtones - Vampiro Classicsdotdotdotdot
artworkJust six tracks from the Verbtones, which is too few if you ask me. Original music, and an original aural vision via the mix. The production values on these tracks varies track to track, depending on the needs of the song. It's often very effective at creating a spine chilling ambiance.
Picks: Carnival Of Souls, Undead Theme, Flight Of the Vampyre, Ghost Wave, The Spider, Matador

Track by Track Review


Carnival Of Souls dotdotdot
Horror Surf (Instrumental)

Spooky organ runs in a wash of reverb against muted surf rhythms. At times the organ is too loud, but overall the song is a very cool thing with silly vampire laughs here and there.

Undead Theme dotdotdot
Horror Surf (Instrumental)

Vibrato rings under an oddly lo-fi guitar line playing a pretty, almost spaghetti western melody. Big drama in the drums augmented by huge chamber reverb. Thick at times, light at others. Unusual and intriguing.

Flight Of the Vampyre dotdotdotdot
Horror Surf (Instrumental)

"Flight Of the Vampyre" is a splendid song with big reverb and surf rhythms. It shimmers and haunts and meanders on the curl. It's an excellent track in a trad mold.

Ghost Wave dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This song reminds me of the Surfaris' "Storm Surf," though it's darker and chunkier. The double picked guitar is as relentless and the tone is really quite similar to Jim Fuller's. Cool track.

The Spider dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Dark and spooky, "The Spider" wanders the panoramic spectrum with a haunted sound. Dangerous in a chilling way, with a very compelling sound. Psychodramatic, dark, and moody.

Matador dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

A flamenco guitar launches this extra cool song. It's very dramatic, very inviting, and sultry without being trite at all. Exotic places and distant sadness prevail, amplified by the distant chorus. Entirely cool.