Release Date: August 01st 2025. Record Label: At The Dojo. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
The Return Of … Live - Tracklisting
1. Eatin’ Dust
2. Loch Ness Wrecking Machine
3. California Crossing
4. Hands Of The Zodiac
5. Dimension Shifter
6. Clone Of The Universe
7. Hell On Wheels
8. The Return Of Tomorrow
9. Saturn III
Members
Scott Hill
Brad Davis
Bob Balch
Scott Reeder
Review
Stoner Rock legends Fu Manchu release their first album in over 20 years with The Return Of … Live which is made of tracks chosen by the band played at various gigs from their recent UK/European tour supporting their critically acclaimed 2024 album The Return Of Tomorrow. So this isn’t a full live album but the favourite tracks performed by Fu Manchu to an ecstatic audience.
You’re treated to some of the best tracks from The Return Of Tomorrow such as Loch Ness Wrecking Machine, Hands Of The Zodiac and The Return Of Tomorrow though I will admit it’s a shame a couple more tracks from the album didn’t make the final cut. However, you’re treated to classic tracks such as Eatin’ Dust, California Crossing, Dimension Shifter, Clone Of The Universe and Saturn III.
This is perhaps the best of both worlds with the band catering for their die-hard fans and casual newcomers to the Fu Manchu cause. The end result is an exhilarating and fast-paced live album with FU MANCHU on fire playing to the best of their technical abilities. The sound is raw, fresh and wholly aggressive which captures the magic that Fu Manchu brings to almost every live performance.
The production values are excellent as the album was mixed by longtime Fu Manchu producer/mixer, Jim Monroe (Adolescents, Ignite) and mastered by Carl Saff. This means you’re getting the most authentic FU MANCHU live experience possible from the comfort of your own personal space.
The Return Of… Live is perhaps on the short side for a live album running around forty plus minutes or so and as I stated before I do wish this was on slightly longer. That doesn’t stop this being another superb release from the Godfathers Of Stoner Rock which should delight fans old and new.
This is BLOCKBUSTER entertainment from start to finish with FU MANCHU doing what they do best and that is delivering some of the freshest and fuzziest grooves within the whole scene.
Words by Steve Howe
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