Release Date: July 18th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD
Fire Rider Pt. 1 - Tracklisting
Fire Rider I: Collision
Blood Divine
Vicious Cycle
The Way Down
Members
Matt C. White - Everything
Review
Fire Rider Pt. 1 is the new single from multi-instrumentalist and all round great musician Matt C. White from his upcoming new album A Cosmic Year. Matt blends Psych, Funk, Doom and Stoner Rock through a Spaced Out Musical Blender. The music is most definitely within the funkier side of life especially within the gloriously over the top title track Fire Rider I: Collision.
There are echoes of QOTSA, Brant Bjork, FU MANCHU and Hawkwind within this slightly surreal journey with Matt exploring different levels of freaky instrumental passages. The vocals are quite varied with Matt performing different areas of Hard Rock on this track which can be quite theatrical in places but it’s quite a refreshing track especially when the song moves aggressively into Doom Metal pastures.
The next two tracks of Blood Divine and Vicious Cycle (which have both been released as singles earlier this year) keeps up with the Funk Rock angle with instances of Blues Rock appearing whilst developing a confident style of Doom Rock which can be quite "COMMERCIAL ROCK” orientated but still keeping with the underground dynamics. The Psych Rock and Space Rock melodies transform into full blown Stoner Rock surroundings when Vicious Cycle makes a barnstorming appearance with screeching guitars and multi-layered sound effects.
The final track of The Way Down was also released earlier this year but it’s good to see it included again and allows Matt to develop into heavier areas of Prog Rock/Metal with echoes of The Mars Volta, Soundgarden and Mastodon being played for brief moments.
Fire Rider Pt. 1 is a gloriously hip and psychedelic journey into the unknown which should allow Matt’s upcoming album A Cosmic Year to find a loyal and dedicated following within the underground scene. Yeah, I’m looking forward to that album as it seriously grabbed my attention with Matt’s highly original creative vision being there for everyone to fully witness.
Words by Steve Howe
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