Release
date: May 17th
2016. Label: Fuzzorama Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Truckfighters:
Live In London – Tracklisting
1.
Mind Control
2.
Atomic
3.
The Chairman
4.
Last Curfew
5.
Monte Gargano
6.
Get Lifted
7.
Manhattan Project
8.
In search of (the)
9.
Traffic
10.
Helium 28
11.
Desert Cruiser
Band
Members:
Ozo
- vocals and bass
Dango
- guitar
Enzo
- drums
Review:
Reviewing
is always a difficult task, especially when dealing with live stuff,
against whom I am always a little doubtful. This is because trying to
explain why one should listen, or buy, a live album is useless for
the most of hardcore fans, and extremely difficult to explain to
everyone else. Making a live album is like making a compilation of
your favourite band, with few simple rules: choose the right songs
and put them in the right place to capture the real essence of an
artist. In my humble opinion a live album has only few simple tasks,
one of which is to transmit the same feeling and experience of being
under the stage, head-banging with other people. Of course, without
skills and attitude the result can be more disappointing, making a
live album just a ‘simple’ collection of songs.
Well,
the new (and first) live release of the Sweden-based trio,
Truckfighters, doesn’t betray any of my expectations, with 77
minutes full of fuzz, heavy riffs and energy in pure Truckfighters
style. Fifteen years after the release of their first EP, Desert
Cruiser, and ten years after their first album, Gravity X (Fuzzorama
Records/Meteor City Records), Truckfighters have become one of
the most instantly recognizable stoner bands in the world. A powerful
and melodic fuzz-drenched tunes coming from big fuzzed-out riffs fuse
with a masterful rhythm section sustained by big clattering drums and
deep bass, with hypnotic and powerful vocals.
A
major plus of this live album is, probably, the ability to propose
old stuff in a different way, where the fuzz-oriented approach of the
first releases fuse with a more stylish and lysergic sound. Indeed,
we all know how stoner rock/metal (and its derivatives) can be
repetitive and stereotyped by nature. Fortunately, through out their
career, Truckfighters evolved a unique and specific sound that
reached its maturity in the last release, setting aside for a moment
their ‘fuzz-addiction’ for more original and open compositions.
Truckfighters have undoubtedly made a significant jump from the
beginning, while not neglecting their roots in the heavy stoner rock
and a passionate love for fuzz. From Gravity X to Universe they have
developed their own specific way of understanding music, working hard
despite the constant changes in line-up.
The
track list sweeps back and forth between their production, just
enough to be loved by long-time fans and catch the eye of those who,
so far, are not familiar with this Sweden-based trio. This, along
with the choice of individual tracks from each album, helps the
overall listening of the album, which flows fluid, powerful and
exciting. The album starts with Mind Control, the open track of their
latest release, Universe (2014, Fuzzorama Records/Sony Music Sweden),
which marks a small turning point in their production, with a more
psychedelic vein compared to previous releases.
In
between, we can find (almost) all their production, with Atomic and
Traffic from their second, excellent album Phi (2007, Fuzzorama
Records/Poison Tree Records), an album dominated by fuzz laden guitar
broken up by short, stoner vocalist segments. The album goes on,
straight and powerful until the laid back track Last Curfew from
their 2009 release, Mania (Fuzzorama Records/Rough Trade Records),
followed by Monte Gargano. At the end of the album we find the
classics, Manhattan Project and In search of (the) from Gravity X,
followed by Helium 28 from their 2003 split with Firestone,
Truckfighters vs. Firestone - Fuzzsplit of the Century (Fuzzorama
Records). The album ends with Desert Cruiser, an anthem for all
(including me) first-hour fans of Truckfighters. Only one flaw. The
lack of one of the best track I ever listen from this band.
Mastodont, a song able to include the essence of what Truckfighters
were, are and will be.
Last
April I was lucky enough to see these guys live at the Desertfest in
Berlin for my very first time, and I was completely bewildered by
their show. A perfect rhythm section masterfully supported by Axel
‘Enzo’ Larsson (drum) and Oskar ‘Mr. Ozo’ Cedermalm (bass),
with tons of fuzz spewed by the ‘flying’ Niklas ‘Dango’
Källgren (guitar).
Just
a little advice. Truckfighters must be seen at least once in life.
So, no matter whether or not you have bought this album, if you have
the chance, go to a concert, because only after having seen them live
you will understand why they are called the ‘best live band in the
world’.
Words
by Bruno Bellisario
You can buy the album from the following link via Fuzzorama Records.
Links: