FU MANCHU - The Return Of ... Live (Album Review)

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

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

FU MANCHU - The Return Of Tomorrow (Album Review)

Release Date: June 14th 2024. Record Label: At The Dojo Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

The Return Of Tomorrow: Tracklisting

1. Dehumanize

2. Loch Ness Wrecking Machine

3. Hands of the Zodiac

4. Haze the Hides

5. Roads of the Lowly

6. (Time Is) Pulling You Under

7. Destroyin’ Light

8. Lifetime Waiting

9. Solar Baaptized

10. What I Need

11. The Return of Tomorrow

12. Liquify

13. High Tide

Band Members

Scott Hill

Brad Davis

Bob Balch

Scott Reeder

Review

Stoner Rock legends Fu Manchu return after a six year absence with their 14th album The Return Of Tomorrow. This is a double album spread across thirteen tracks that runs around fifty minutes or so. There’s no epic Progressive based track such as “IL Mostro Atomico" that appeared within their 2018 record Clone Of The Universe.

It seems that Fu Manchu have gone for a back to basics approach with their legendary Fuzz Rock and Punk Rock inspired style of Stoner Rock/Metal. The album is wonderfully outrageous and quite far-fetched with some of the opening tracks such as Dehumanize, Loch Ness Breaking Machine and Hands Of The Zodiac with the lyrics hitting upon certain fantastical elements whilst giving a more human connection to the music with some of the lyrics the band have written hear. The music is once again full of the good old fashioned Stoner Rock delivery with traces of gritty Desert Rock, Psych Rock and Fuzzy Heaviness with a sludgy undergroove appearing.

Fu Manchu capture sounds from the various albums they’ve released within their legendary career but allowing themselves the perfect opportunity to try new things throughout this album with the band even changing into a more Post-Stoner delivery for the second half of the album. There are moments where Brad Davis phenomenal bass playing brings the most heaviest and doomed parts of the record which is superbly backed up by the epic guitar work from both Scott Hill and Bob Balch. With the precise drumming of Scott Reeder, allowing this album to be perhaps their most “METAL” oriented in quite some time. 

Though, the band still find time to play their familiar strands of Blues Rock, Desert Rock and Punk Rock all delivered within the Stoner Rock confinements that the band themselves possibly created and redefined throughout their lengthy career. The Return Of Tomorrow is perhaps the band’s most riff-fuelled adventure yet with a mixture of melodic instrumental jams and sludgy psychedelic beats appearing on other great tracks such as: Roads Of The Lonely, (Time Is) Pulling You Under, Lifetime Waiting, The Return Of Tomorrow and Liquify.

The heaviest grooves appear mostly throughout the first half with Fu Manchu wandering into a more laid back and hypnotic slumber on the second half but still with catchy moments of aggressive outbursts that appears at just the right time to keep the mood super fresh, downright groovy and superbly original. 

The record may not end with the most heaviest or spectacular sounds on the final track of High Tide but it’s “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED” for Fu Manchu in delivering another brilliantly produced release and one that is absolutely a bona-fide classic release to add to their legendary discography.

The Return Of Tomorrow proves once again FU MANCHU are highly lauded and considered ICONS of the Stoner Rock/Metal scene. They’re masterful storytellers and we don’t have many of these types of bands left within the scene apart from Monster Magnet, Orange Goblin and NEBULA and every time one of those legendary bands release a new album then it’s a cause for celebration. 

This is perhaps the STONER ROCK ALBUM to own this year. So what are you waiting for….

Words by Steve Howe

The Return Of Tomorrow will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via At The Dojo Records from Friday 14th June 2024.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Heavy supergroup SLOWER (w/ members of Kyuss, Fu Manchu, Kylesa, Lowrider, Monolord, Year of the Cobra) sign to Heavy Psych Sounds Records

Heavy Psych Sounds Records sign SLOWER — the brand new project "playing Slayer slow and low" with members of Kyuss, Fu Manchu, Kylesa, Monolord, Lowrider and Year Of The Cobra — for the release of their debut album in early 2024!

About this collaborative project between major players from the international stoner and doom scene, Fu Manchu guitarist Bob Balch says:

“The idea for the SLOWER project started around four years ago. I was teaching a student how to play “South Of Heaven” by SLAYER but she was a beginner so we slowed it down. I thought that sounded cool so I tuned down to B standard and tried it. I added some drums and thought “someone in the doom community should do this and name it SLOWER.”

A few years later I befriended Steven “Thee Slayer Hippy” Hanford, best known for his work as the drummer in the influential Oregon punk band Poison Idea. He was backstage at a FU MANCHU show. Oddly enough I was wearing a POISON IDEA shirt and he told me that my shirt sucks. I asked who he was and why he was in our backstage. He told me and I felt stupid. We started drinking whiskey and talking about music. We stayed in touch over the next year or so and during Covid I told him about my SLOWER idea. He asked me to send him tracks. I waited too long because the day I sent the tracks he passed away. Totally tragic. I’m glad I got to know him even for a few years. He was a monster musician with a giant heart. He will be greatly missed.

I shelved the project for a while after that. One day Esben from MONOLORD posted about musical collaborations. I love MONOLORD so I thought what the hell. I sent him some tracks and he killed it on drums. So I sent more. Then more. Shortly after that, we started reaching out to other musicians to get them involved. That’s how we ended up with this lineup. Everyone that contributed completely knocked it out of the park and I can’t thank them enough.

This project has been a long time coming and I’m beyond stoked on how it turned out. Without all of the players involved, Steven Hanford and my baritone Reverend guitar it wouldn’t have happened. Thanks to everyone involved and I hope you dig it! I’m a giant SLAYER fan so it’s been a treat to dig into these classic songs. Hopefully, we can do another record in the near future.

Look out for shows because they will happen!”

First track and preorder coming on October 31st on www.heavypsychsounds.com, stay tuned!

SLOWER is:

Esben Willems (drums) Monolord
Peder Bergstrand (bass) Lowrider
Amy Barrysmith (vocals) Year of the Cobra
Laura Pleasants (vocals) Kylesa
Bob Balch (guitars) Fu Manchu
Scott Reeder (bass) Kyuss

SLOWER on Instagram

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

Website ⎜ Facebook ⎜ Bandcamp ⎜ Instagram ⎜ Youtube

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the details.

YAWNING BALCH (w/Yawning Man and Fu Manchu members) to release sophomore album "Volume Two" on Heavy Psych Sounds this November.

Following the release of their recent debut album "Volume One", the instrumental project formed by desert rock pioneers Yawning Man and Fu Manchu guitarist Bob Balch is set to issue their sophomore album "Volume Two" this November 3rd on Heavy Psych Sounds.

Yawning Balch is the collaborative outfit uniting guitarist Bob Balch (Fu Manchu, Big Scenic Nowhere) and desert rock progenitors Yawning Man, currently incarnated by founding guitarist Gary Arce, drummer Bill Stinson, and bassist Billy Cordell. Their sophomore record "Volume Two" is part of a two-volume set carved out of a single five-hour jam between Balch and the trio. The dreamy and psychedelic journey started on the recently released "Volume One" will reach its apex this November 3rd in the form of an expansive and mind-opening 3-track journey.

About Yawning Balch, guitarist Bob Balch says: "In November of 2022, I went out to Joshua Tree for a day of jamming with the guys in Yawning Man with the intention of calling it “Yawning Balch”. No riffs were planned. We just plugged in and played. The only discussion beforehand was that Gary Arce and I wanted to mess with tons of guitar pedals. I knew that while we were jamming it sounded great, but it wasn’t until I got home and listened to it all that I realized we had something special. It’s hard to believe that we jammed for five hours and got two full-length LPs and then some out of it. Every player killed it on these recordings and I’m beyond grateful to have my name involved with this legendary band. Fingers crossed they invite me back out annually for more jam sessions. I hope you enjoy these jams and please use responsibly."

"Volume Two" was recorded at Gatos Trail and engineered by Dan Joeright, mixed and mastered by Kent Stump at Crystal Clear Sound. Artwork and layout by John McGill. Listen to debut album "Volume One" on Bandcamp and order your vinyl, CD and digital copy at this location.

YAWNING BALCH "Volume Two"
Out November 3rd on Heavy Psych Sounds
European preorder - US preorder

TRACKLIST:

1. A Moment Expanded (A Form Constant)
2. Flesh Of The Gods
3. Psychic Aloha

YAWNING BALCH is:

Gary Arce – guitar
Bob Balch : Guitar, synth
Billy Cordell – bass
Bill Stinson - drums

YAWNING MAN links

Website ⎜ Facebook ⎜ Bandcamp ⎜ Instagram ⎜ Spotify
 
HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

Website ⎜ Facebook ⎜ Bandcamp ⎜ Instagram ⎜ Youtube

Yawning Balch - Volume One (Album Review)

Release Date: July 07th 2023. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Volume One: Tracklisting

Dreaming With Eyes Open

Cemetery Glitter

Low Pressure Valley

Members:

Gary Arce - Guitars

Bob Balch - Guitars, Synth

Billy Cordell - Bass

Bill Stinson - Drums

Review:

Yawning Balch is the new project featuring members of Yawning Man and Bob Balch from Stoner Rock legends FU MANCHU. You would be forgiven if you thought this project was reminiscent of Big Scenic Nowhere, the Desert Rock Supergroup that Bill Stinson, Gary Arce and Bob Balch played in previously. However, Yawning Balch manages to stand on their own creative ground compared to the other musical projects each member is personally involved with.

Sure, Yawning Balch is mostly an Instrumental Desert/Stoner Rock outfit but with Volume One their debut release, the band strive for a more Spaced Out journey thanks to Bob and Gary's love affair with different guitar pedals. This album was recorded in an individual five hour session and they've recorded two albums worth. Mind-blowing stuff especially when you listen to Volume One from these sessions. This album contains three tracks that are reminiscent of Yawning Man's most recent release but takes a more expansive and darker passage with hazy Progressive grooves with an element of Post-Doom behind them.

Opening song Dreaming With Eyes Open is a twenty-one minute plus opus that takes the more Cinematic route of delivering their music with. Parts Desert Rock, Psych, Fuzz and Gloomy Stoner rhythms are being played for the most part but with Yawning Balch playing a more subtle style of Doom Rock which can be quite heavy for the longer and extended grooves that allows the Ambient themes to grow naturally. The track is very multi-layered with Gary and Bob leading the creative charge though Bill and Billy providing a wonderfully diverse rhythm section for the music to fully move forward. Bob pulls another shift providing the haunting and soothing synths that's one of the best parts of the whole album. The later stages of the track become more Ambient and Post-Rock based with creepy glitchy sound effects offering a song that almost ends up becoming a Post-Metal track which shows you the different levels or areas of heaviness that Yawning Balch are willing to take.

Second song Cemetery Glitter opens with a cautious Post-Rock delivery with a sombre Desert Rock sound. The atmosphere is quite JAZZY but soon gives way to a healthy dose of Spaced Out Rock. Trippy synths and Ambient rhythms allows the band more time to deliver the extended grooves for an experimental Drone based charge. The song is cautiously slow but excels with the different creative nature of the track. Swirling noises and Stoner guitars adds another level of Psychedelic flair with Yawning Balch offering perhaps the gloomiest track on the album. The song excels the most when the Synths moves into heavier areas of Sonic based audio projcction. Some folks may complain the song should have included familiar Desert Rock jams but I feel Yawning Balch made the right call here. As this shows a different musical and creative persona whilst offering familiar sounds along the way.

Third song Low Pressure Valley is the shortest track on the album running under seven and a half minutes. This reminds me of Yawning Man and Big Scenic Nowhere for the first few moments before that heavy Ambient driven Post-Rock score slowly changes the narrative and structure of the song. Yawning Balch take their time here. As the song does move cautiously slowly but it's a dark and twisted flavour of music that elevates this album into more Trascendental areas of Desert/Stoner Rock. Highly melodic with a bleak sense of Desert Rock optimism that leaves the album on a mighty high.

Volume One is a very different sounding release to Yawning Man's recent album Long Walk Of The Navajo. They both have similar things in common but Volume One is perhaps a darker and more experimental take on the Desert/Stoner Rock sound that these four members have helped to create and define over the last thirty five years or so. 

This is a wonderfully complex album which will rank as one of the best Instrumental Rock albums of the year which Yawning Man has already delivered with Long Walk Of The Navajo. Lighting does strike twice. Roll on Volume Two.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Volume One is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from July 07th 2023.

Links

BandCamp

YAWNING BALCH (w/ Yawning Man and Bob Balch of Fu Manchu) announce debut album release on Heavy Psych Sounds; first track and preorder available

Desert rock pioneers Yawning Man and Fu Manchu guitarist Bob Balch team up for their new project called YAWNING BALCH, and announce the release of their debut album "Volume One" this July 7th on Heavy Psych Sounds, with a first track now streaming.

Yawning Balch is the amalgam of guitarist Bob Balch (Fu Manchu, Big Scenic Nowhere, ex-Minotaur, Slower, and so on), and the current incarnation of Gary Arce-led desert rock progenitors Yawning Man, which includes Arce on guitar alongside drummer Bill Stinson and bassist Billy Cordell. Their debut record "Volume One" is part of a two-volume set carved out of a single five-hour jam between Balch and the trio. Be ready to embrace a dreamy and psychedelic instrumental journey as you've rarely experienced!
 

Listen to Yawning Balch's debut single "Dreaming With Eyes Open or below

About this new project, guitarist Bob Balch comments: "In November of 2022 I went out to Joshua Tree for a day of jamming with the guys in Yawning Man with the intention of calling it “Yawning Balch.” No riffs were planned. We just plugged in and played. The only discussion beforehand was that Gary Arce and I wanted to mess with tons of guitar pedals. I knew that while we were jamming it sounded great, but it wasn’t until I got home and listened to it all that I realized we had something special. It’s hard to believe that we jammed for five hours and got two full-length LPs and then some out of it. Every player killed it on these recordings and I’m beyond grateful to have my name involved with this legendary band. Fingers crossed they invite me back out annually for more jam sessions. I hope you enjoy these jams and please use responsibly."

"Volume One" was recorded at Gatos Trail and engineered by Dan Joeright, mixed and mastered by Kent Stump at Crystal Clear Sound. Artwork and layout by John McGill. The album will be available in ultra-limited orange splatter vinyl, limited sea blue vinyl, black vinyl, CD digipak and digital on July 7th, 2023, with preorders available now from Heavy Psych Sounds. 

About this new project, guitarist Bob Balch comments: "In November of 2022 I went out to Joshua Tree for a day of jamming with the guys in Yawning Man with the intention of calling it “Yawning Balch.” No riffs were planned. We just plugged in and played. The only discussion beforehand was that Gary Arce and I wanted to mess with tons of guitar pedals. I knew that while we were jamming it sounded great, but it wasn’t until I got home and listened to it all that I realized we had something special. It’s hard to believe that we jammed for five hours and got two full-length LPs and then some out of it. Every player killed it on these recordings and I’m beyond grateful to have my name involved with this legendary band. Fingers crossed they invite me back out annually for more jam sessions. I hope you enjoy these jams and please use responsibly."

"Volume One" was recorded at Gatos Trail and engineered by Dan Joeright, mixed and mastered by Kent Stump at Crystal Clear Sound. Artwork and layout by John McGill. The album will be available in ultra-limited orange splatter vinyl, limited sea blue vinyl, black vinyl, CD digipak and digital on July 7th, 2023, with preorders available now from Heavy Psych Sounds. 

YAWNING BALCH "Volume One" Out July 7th on Heavy Psych Sounds

European preorder - US preorder

TRACKLISTING:

1. Dreaming With Eyes Open (21:36)
2. Cemetery Glitter (13:52)
3. Low Pressure Valley (7:29)

YAWNING BALCH is:

Gary Arce – guitar
Bob Balch : Guitar, synth
Billy Cordell – bass
Bill Stinson - drums

YAWNING MAN links

Website ⎜ Facebook ⎜ Bandcamp ⎜ Instagram ⎜ Spotify

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

Website ⎜ Facebook ⎜ Bandcamp ⎜ Instagram ⎜ Youtube

FU MANCHU - Clone Of The Universe (Album Review)

Release date: 9^th February 2018. Label: At The Dojo Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Clone Of The Universe – Tracklisting

1. "Intelligent Worship" (3:08)

2. "(I’ve Been) Hexed" (2:48)

3. "Don’t Panic" (2:05)

4. "Slower Than Light" (3:26)

5. "Nowhere Left to Hide" (4:19)

6. "Clone of the Universe" (2:58)

7. "IL Mostro Atomico" (18:08)

Members

Scott Hill, Brad Davis, Bob Balch, Scott Reeder

Review

Greetings All,

This February Fuzzed-out stoner rock stalwarts Fu Manchu will unleash their 12th album Clone of the Universe upon us all. The album treads the same familiar territory the band has rather deeply carved their name into over the past 20+ years. Clone of the Universe is 7 absolutely killer tracks of trademark fuzz filled heaviness. Fu Manchu has consistently played to their strengths on this album. While the album is rocking and fun on one hand it is a little dark and pessimistic in spots, kind of like a good monster movie. The record hits on all the sweet spots of classic Fu Manchu, astral planes, monsters, speed and a little bit of paranoia (not sure what would be causing that…..)

To the songs..

The album kicks off with Intelligent Worship which is the quintessential Fu Manchu style opening track. You immediately get smacked in the face with fuzz that doesn’t let up through the scuzzy, wah heavy solos it brings. There are elements of the song that reminded of Helmet’s Unsung from way back in the day.

(I’ve been) Hexed comes hard with an almost NWOBHM dual guitar intro and shows the first inklings of the darker aspects alluded to earlier. Don’t Panic is an up tempo jam with some more killer guitar work. Slower Than Light lurches in with a big bass intro and somewhat slower tempo that leads into breakdown that is heavy on the flanger before it kicks in with a break neck high speed ending.

The most ominous song on the album is Nowhere Left to Hide which continues the slower tempo of the last track and fully showcases the darker and more ominous tones of the album. The title track, Clone of the Universe, follows next. It kicks off with an ultra-heavy start and there exists a more punk inspired feel to this jam.

The album closes with an absolute beast, the monstrous and plodding, IL Mostro Atomico. This is a lengthy, mostly instrumental juggernaut that unleashes almost the whole arsenal from Fu Manchu’s bag of tricks. The song features a slew of tempo changes showcasing the band’s chops with fuzzy, phased out heavy ass grooves.

Any die hard Fu Manchu fan is going to dig heavily on this album. It is undoubtedly their best record in a while and hits all the right notes that made California Crossing, King of the Road, and the Action is Go such classics. Dig heavily on Clone of the Universe, you will not be disappointed.

- Todd S

Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou

Words by Todd Stealey

Clone Of The Universe will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via At TheDojo Records from February 09^th 2018.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp