heavy-metal-darkness: Wino | Create Or Die

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Wino | Create Or Die | Ripple Music

Release Date: October 24, 2025

Format: LP/CD/Digital

Genre: Doom/Heavy Rock

Country: USA

Scott “Wino” Weinrich has long been a restless spirit in the heavy underground, a figure whose career stretches back to the late 70s and the dawn of doom metal itself. From The Obsessed to Saint Vitus and Spirit Caravan, he’s built a reputation on honesty and grit, crafting songs that come from lived experience rather than calculated design. Through decades of shifting musical trends, Wino has stayed true to his calling: heavy, soulful music with a pulse that comes straight from the gut.

“Create Or Die,” his fourth solo album, lands as a reflection of that creed. What began as an acoustic project has evolved into something louder, more urgent, yet still personal. The songs here sound like they were written by a man who’s been through storms but hasn’t lost the will to keep moving. His voice carries the kind of weathered truth that can’t be faked, while the guitars burn with a rough and timeless energy.

Tracks like “New Terms” and “Hopeful Defiance” bring a raw intensity, combining heavy blues undercurrents with rugged storytelling. The Irish folk textures woven into “New Terms” add an unexpected twist without feeling out of place, while “Bury Me In Texas” and “Lost Souls Fly” expand the emotional reach with hints of Americana and old-school melancholy. It’s the sound of a veteran artist following his instincts, without chasing trends or worrying about polish.

Wino’s playing remains earthy and unpretentious, grounded in the same rough spirit that first defined his work. The production keeps everything direct and human, with just enough grit to keep the edges sharp. The strength of “Create Or Die” lies in its authenticity, a seasoned musician creating simply because he must.

Ripple Music once again proves a fitting home for this kind of release. Honest, heavy, and built on feeling rather than gloss. Wino doesn’t preach, he shares, and that’s what makes the album connect. It’s not a masterpiece or a reinvention of his past, but it’s a solid statement from an artist who’s earned the right to speak plainly through his music. “Create Or Die” is exactly what its title says. It’s not about perfection, it’s about necessity, a rugged, heartfelt continuation of a life spent in devotion to heavy sound and truth.

Score: 7.0