Red Sun Atacama - Licancabur (Album Review)

Release date: June 29th 2018. Label: More Fuzz Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Licancabur – Tracklisting

1.Atacama ((intro)) 00:36

2.The Gold 10:39

3.Red Queen 05:53

4.Cupid's Arrows 01:45

5.Drawers 04:27

6.Empire 11:59

Members

R. : Drums/Powerhouse

C. : Bass-Vocals/Vibe

V. : Guitar/Magic

Review

Red Sun Atacama debut album Licancabur is a dynamic mix of Desert Rock, Stoner, Psych, Fuzz and Garage Rock. The opening song - Intro - is a nicely played instrumental song which doesn't really offer much in the way of excitement. It could have easily been left off the album. Though Red Sun Atacama finally spring the album into life with the excellent second track - Gold. A constant heavy mix that draws the best parts of Kyuss and Truckfighters into one fast and heavy package.

The vocals have a cool retro Desert Rock feel. The production is very rough and ready but that's a good thing as this allows the band to play to their strengths. The music is always constantly engaging and never bores you for a second.

The heavy FUZZ sound does have the early sounds of Truckfighters running through its veins. The garage rock atmosphere at least allows Red Sun Atacama in treating the audience to fast-paced and heavy Desert Rock adventure. Songs such as Red Queen, Drawers and Empire is where Red Sun Atacama impresses the most as they start creating music on their own terms.

The lyrics are very direct and match the music superbly well. This is what you expect for an album such as this. Maybe the album could have done a couple of more songs just to make the album that little bit longer. As the album has a brisk thirty-five minute running time. However there is a lot of fun to be had. Especially when the Psychedelic Desert/Stoner Rock grooves takes centre stage and demands you take notice of the band.

Overall, Red Sun Atacama has created a superbly entertaining album that will leave you with a warm FUZZY feeling for a long time to come. If you're a fan of Kyuss and Truckfighters then Licancabur is the album for you.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Tanguy at More Fuzz Records for sending a promo to review, Licancabur is available to buy on DD now. Vinyl will be released later this year via More Fuzz Records.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Augustine Azul - Lombramorfose (Album Review)

Release date: August 16^th 2016. Label: More Fuzz Records. Format: CD/DD

Lombramorfose – Tracklisting

1.Amônia 06:10

2.Jurubeba 05:29

3.Cogumelo 04:45

4.Mamatica 04:41

5.Pixo 04:40

6.Intéra 04:14

Band Members:

João Yor

Jonathan Beltrão

Edgard Moreira

Review:

I applaud my pal Tanguy over at the excellent blog – More Fuzz, for starting his own record label, More Fuzz Records and signing Augustine Azul as his first signing. Augustine Azul are a Progressive Instrumental Space/Stoner Rock band from Brazil who I wasn't aware of before Tanguy sent me a promo to review.

Now I must say that these guys are not your usual instrumental Stoner Rock band. As they blend elements of Progressive Metal and Jazz into the mix and it gives their sound an almost classical feel. Especially with the delivery of the epic riffs contained throughout the album. Augustine Azul new album – Lombramorfose, won't appeal to everyone as it's quite a complex listen at times. Sure the album has it's fair share of Stoner/Desert riffs but it's the more heavier progressive vibes that some people may find hard to fully enjoy.

I applaud the band for doing something different. It's quite a different sound compared to other Instrumental Rock Bands coming from the South American Stoner Rock scene. The instrumental work is pure magic at times. The guitars have a trippy psychedelic feel that will leave you in a trance. It's good that Augustine Azul add elements of Psych, Blues and Fuzz Rock into their music.

The album is probably best viewed as one epic progressive piece as it doesn't feel or sound like your usual standard album. Progressive Rock based interludes are spliced within the album and it can be very tiring to hear at times. As you could be enjoying an epic Stoner based riff then the next moment, the band change their focus to a more progressive style of music. Most times it works but others the mood falls rather flat.

This only happens a few times as Augustine Azul soon return to winning ways with finely played Stoner/Psych based riffs. Overall, Lombramorfose is a damn good album that will appeal to the more open minded Stoner Rock fan rather than the casual one. Give this album a try as these guys are brilliant musicians and I can see why Tanguy signed them to his new label. Hopefully this will be the one of many to come from More Fuzz Records.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp