Can't get enough instrumental stoner? Neither can Fuzzy! Dig the debut EP "I" from Ukraine by DREAMS OF MAYA. It leans a bit into stoner metal, the songs a little shorter than typical stoner doom, and I'm digging it a lot. The guitar solos are not to be missed! Listen to "I" from Dreams of Maya on Bandcamp:
Fuzzy's Favorite: "Through the Desert" really blasts the riffs and is the longest track on the album.
There's been so much great stoner metal from Mexico this year (check out The Swamp's CACTUS ROJO, ELECTRIC CULT, 3DEMONS, and VELJET) and released today is another album to add to the list: "Quanaxhuato" from SANTO FUZZ. This is nearly an hour of heavy psych with excellent guitar work, and especially the vocals stand out on this album. The vocals include singing, growls, background chants, and they are layered together to give support the heavy psych vibes. There is a slight lo-fi vibe to this recording, and that's a good thing. Listen to "Quanaxhuato" from Santo Fuzz on Bandcamp at:
Some of the highlights: heavy metal riffs on "El Truco," mind-bending vocals on "Usurero Del Baratillo", and simply satanic worship on the title track.
Oh yea, you might have noticed all the vocals are in Spanish, which is perfect for this style of music.
Santo Fuzz band is from Guanajuato, Mexico. Santo Fuzz began as a one man band from September 4th 2020 to November 2021 formed by Agustín Ramírez, and now the band has two members with an anonymous man in the drums.
From the band:
Santo Fuzz is a Stoner Doom Metal & Occult Psychedelic Rock Band with regional mexican music influences that show horror folk stories, bad trips and classic terror movies of the "Cine de Oro Mexicano" in the lyrics.
"Gluttoner" is the debut EP from MULE THROWER, a new solo band from Jeff Gallagher. Short, sweet, and to the point -- a handful of tracks with some very catchy riffs, excellent vocals, and a dose of appropriate samples. "Gluttoner" ends too quickly but hopefully this is a taste of more to come from Mule Thrower -- and hopefully soon! Listen on Bandcamp:
Mule Thrower band is from Pennsylvania with Jeff Gallagher on vocals and guitar with Jason Lech drums.
Interview with the band:
FUZZY: Where did the band's name "Mule Thrower" come from?
MULE THROWER: The name came from looking at a playlist that had Tom Waits's "Get Behind the Mule" and Floor's "Slug Thrower"; the words mule and thrower caught my eye.
FUZZY: Were any mules harmed in the production of this album?
MULE THROWER: I do not encourage or condone the throwing of mules.
FUZZY: You've got a unique sound -- what have been your musical influences?
MULE THROWER: The main influences are Floor, Eyehategod, Unsane, Corrupted, and obscure Americana music.
FUZZY: Where did the album name "Gluttoner" come from?
MULE THROWER: The Gluttoner EP is thematically about the pill epidemic in America with sonic undertones and motifs of the Appalachian/Rust Belt areas it affects greatly. It isn't meant to glorify; my aim was to create a cohesive piece that is both grim and crushing, like the problem itself. The concept also can be related to the quest for the heaviest possible sound that many of us in this genre chase. That too can be be gluttonous at times.
Psych rock fans have reason to celebrate with Friday's release of "Invisible Wormhole" from one of Fuzzy's favorite bands, MELLOW BEAST! Readers of my blog will remember my previous reviews of Mellow Beast's debut "Hyperion" and its coneptual follow-up "The Tale of Sir Gregory." Friday's release continues the with Mellow Beast's mastery of late 60s psychedelia, but begins a new story about what lurks in a wormhole behind the moon. And in terms of musical textures and variety, this has to be the band's best album yet (and that's saying something). Listen to "Invisible Wormhole" by Mellow Beast on Bandcamp (with the full album to be released October 29):
At times serious and even a bit menacing, and at other times more playful, "Invisible Wormhole" takes the listener through a cosmic anomaly to visit with a mysterious presence. Although there is a concept and narrative which connects the songs, you don't need to follow the story to enjoy the songs. Each track stands on its own and offers its own unique flavor of psych rock. There's catchy riffs, flowery melodies, layered vocals -- it's everything that any fan of psych rock could want. In terms of musicianship, Mellow Beast has topped their previous albums and delivered their best concept album yet.
Fuzzy's Favorite: "Colouring Forest" with its impish vocals and spaced-out guitars, and it drifts easily into the next track "Alien Princess".
FFO: The Swamp's FAIRYPORT CONVENT, LOOT THE BODY, and anyone who loves THE SMALL FACES "Odgen's Nut Gone" and THE MOODY BLUES "Days of Future Passed."
MELLOW BEAST band is Paul Scott from Belfast, UK.
From the band:
With life on earth getting dull, a group of explorers decide to head to
the stars only to find a wormhole lurking close by behind the moon. The
album revolves around the creature that lurks within and what he has in
mind for this group of travelers.
Fuzzy loves a remaster! It's like getting your house remodeled -- you already love the place, but want to make it better. A remaster is also a chance for a band to re-introduce a great album to their fans. PRAISE THE SUN just released "IN: Thermoglobal Endpoint (Remastered)" so here's your chance to get acquainted with this collection of 8 heavy metal tracks from the glaciers of Norway. Listen on Bandcamp:
Overall, it's the vocals that take front stage, with their sinister, fuzzed-out, hazy approach. They are a hallmark of the band's sound. But don't stop there! Dig a little deeper and the drum lines and guitar riffs will reward your doom bone. There's a nice variety too, from classic sabbath worship ("...of the Pallid Mask") to hints of eastern flair (such as in "Temple of Lukos").
Fuzzy's Favorite: "Reunion" might not be the most representative track in relation to the other songs, but I really dig the riff on this one, and it makes for a great album closer.
The band will release a new EP on October 21 titled "Alchemical Slave: Omen of Fire" with 4 new tracks. Be sure to follow the band to get news about the release.
