Release
date: 9th
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.
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 09th
2018.
Links:
