Caught By The Fuzz
Truckfighters has been playing music together, in the snow of Sweden, since the early 2000’s. Guitarist Niklas “Dango” Källgren and bassist Oskar “Ozo” Cedermalm started the band and went through a series of drummers until they discovered Andre “Poncho” Kvarnström. From then on, they have been getting praise from everywhere and everyone, including bands like Queens of The Stone Age and metal publications such as Metal Hammer. Since their conception, they have put out five EP’s and three full length albums. Their newest release “Universe” is a fuzzed out stoner metal bonanza.
From the album’s opener, “Mind Control,” we see the formula they’re using. Catchy, overdriven guitar riffs draped over driving bass and drums. The vocals are similar to QOTSA’s Josh Homme. It’s more of a haunted feel than a gigantic roar– a little more rock n’roll than heavy metal and a little more clean than screaming. On “The Chairman,” that formula continues. It isn’t until we get to “Prophet,” the third song on the record, that we hear how truly dynamic the band can be. Distorted bass and drums drive a song to its catchy chorus where the guitars seem to swell into full force. The vocal work here is also fantastic. It’s rare to find a hook in metal, something that will keep you singing along after the record has finished. Truckfighters found it here.
On the track “Get Lifted,” the groove is pulled back to a more bluesy feel. Kvarnström is truly a beast on the drums, and nowhere is it more evident than here. His timing is perfect. Its steadiness allows the song to breathe more and give the sense of drive. The last song on the record, “Mastodont,” seems like it was pulled from an action movie. Soaring guitars and proggy jamming while still keeping with their signature fuzz tone; it’s a perfect ending to such a great album.
There are tons of bands like this coming up in the metal scene today, but there is something special about these guys. They show a lot of promise. It seems like the band has a sense of songwriting and dynamics that most other bands are missing out on. It’s what sets this album apart from the others in their catalog and separates them, in general, from the pack.
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