Zernell Gillie - ROCK · Brotherhood Of Scent

Zernell Gillie - ROCK

Hey guys, Joe A here with another one for ya! You know, I really wanted to like Zernell Gillie ROCK, but......

On paper, this had the makings of something with real attitude: a citrus-metallic opening, some sharp electric brightness, then a darker slide into resinous musk from the opoponax and olibanum. I was expecting stage lights, amplifier buzz and a little incense smoke curling through the chaos.

Instead? Everything feels muted, tame and strangely neutered.

For a fragrance called ROCK, this doesn’t kick the door open. It politely knocks, waits to be invited in and then apologizes for tracking dirt on the carpet. The lime, yuzu and metallic musk should have given this thing some edge, but they feel turned way down, like someone unplugged the guitar before the solo. The resins never really growl either. They just sort of hum in the background, behaving themselves like they’ve got a curfew.

And that’s the problem. ROCK, as a concept, should have some rebellion to it! It should feel textured, loud, smoky, gritty, electric or at least a little dangerous. This smells more like a clean rehearsal space than a sweaty stage....

Not a terrible fragrance. Just a frustrating one.

First sniff? Like a big hair metal band reunion tour where the guitars are quiet, the leather is pleather and the only thing still growing is the Rogaine bill!!

14 comments