V (Truckfighters)
In the stoner rock scene, there are, of course, the American giants, but also some tasteful Scandinavian acts (Spiritual Beggars immediately come to mind), some of whom, united under the Fuzzorama Records label, are making waves with explosive albums, such as the new V by the Swedish band Truckfighters, released on Century Media.
The eight tracks on this album offer some great moments of fuzz-laden stoner rock, driven by an unstoppable rhythm section (“Fiend”) and guitars that don’t hesitate to cut through heavily when they aren’t creating an atmospheric, dreamlike sound. Oskar Cedermalm’s clear vocals, he also plays bass, add a pop-rock tone to the mix that’s particularly effective at times and helps avoid the excessive linearity often found in more “classic” stoner vocals. Niklas Källgren’s excellent guitar work (as heard on “The Contract”), coupled with Daniel Israelsson’s powerful and inventive drumming, turn the tracks on this album into masterpieces, where one encounters the spirit of Kyuss as well as the spontaneity and musicality of Karma to Burn (“Storyline”). The final track, recorded live, showcases the band’s stage presence, which adds to the breadth of their artistry and opens up beautiful spaces for daydreaming.
A pleasant and well-executed album, if not revolutionary (which isn’t what we’re asking of it anyway).
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