Winds Of Neptune – Self Titled

by Mark 'Yeti' Richard · Published December 17, 2025 · Updated December 17, 2025

Winds Of Neptune are a three-piece hard rock band from Detroit, Michigan. Featuring Ross Westerbur on bass and vocals, Kevin Roberts on guitar, and Mike Alonso on drums, the trio formed during the Covid pandemic of 2020. Being sidelined from the global lockdown, the band features members from Flogging Molly, 500 Ft. Of Pipe, and The Meatmen. Winds Of Neptune started jamming on classic rock songs and eventually became an actual band, signing with Small Stone Records. The Self Titled album was released on November 21st and contains eight tracks, just over an hour in length.

This debut record from Winds Of Neptune is amazing! Right out of the gate, “The Faun’s Rhyme” kicks out the jams with a righteous rocking groove of hard classic rock. Their sound is bombastic and grooving with punctuating percussion and heavy blues-driven riffs. The rocking flow of the fuzzy rhythms and electrifying leads are absolutely stunning. The second track, “Gas Giant” is a classic blues drenched melody of rocking fury. The vintage sound is so satisfying and nostalgic, performed expertly. Winds Of Neptune are flawless but not robotic. They have such great song writing skills that transforms each track into its own unique ensemble. Each song averages up to seven minutes plus and dazzles us with flowing riffs and melodies alike. They play loose but sound tight, if that makes any sense.

The third track “La Cacciata” is another blazing rock song full of groove and accents. The effortless flow and catchy rhythms are a pure delight. The band makes everything sound so vital and natural and there’s so much depth to each of these songs. “Temporal Mutant” is another banger! The song kicks in all together and brings forth the retro-groove and the jamming hard rock majesty. The simple and swinging drums and scorching leads are a righteous combination. The vocals sound smooth and in command and especially blends well with the flowing rhythms of the hard rocking music.

The fifth track called “U.S.L.” has a very catchy vibe and unhurried flow. The head bobbing reflex is activated with this track as Winds Of Neptune continues to dazzle us with their relentless driving force of hard unfiltered rock. This is the type of recording that never sounds old or boring to me. Each song is a story or expression, with well crafted lyrics and music alike. They are hard rocking blues maestros that don’t let up for one second. “So Sayeth The Mouth Of The Void” is yet another terrific track that keeps the rock fully rolling. Forged from classic sounding riff structures that sound like they were born out of the seventies, Winds Of Neptune has such an incredible and interesting sound that it’s impossible to make real sense over how great and effective their music is. Swirls of heavy psych and progressive tones of hard-driven blues are prominent throughout this fantastic album too.

The seventh track called “The Fitz” begins mellow with a simple drum beat and airy sounds of synth and clean guitars. The slow brewing bluesy jazz foundation has a slow and psychedelic assent with echoing vocals with smooth and dynamic leads. The song does pick up a bit towards the end and carries off with a mid-tempo rhythmic groove. The final number on this amazing recording is called “Queen Of Sumatra”. This ten a half minute closer is a masterpiece! All of the appealing features from the band’s prior songs are enhanced on this one. Heavy tones of frantic and electrifying rhythms and fiery leads by Kevin Roberts are directed tightly with the rock solid rhythm section of bassist Ross Westerbur and Mike Alonso pounding on the drums.

This is the type of music that never gets old for me and always offers something new each time that I listen to it. The amount of content that comes alive from each of the eight tracks is quite massive. Winds Of Neptune are a novice band with professional musicians creating a high quality product. This is undoubtedly one of the best releases that demands my full attention and respect thus far, for the year.