Review: Fuzzcrafter - Fuzzcrafter

Fuzzcrafter, just the name alone means we're in for a ride on the fuzz rollercoaster. The band hail from Lyon, France and have drawn on influences from the 70s (Sabbath, Zep, Purple) and more contemporary outfits (Mastodon, Clutch) to produce an album of fuzzy, balls-out rock'n'roll that will please even the most jaded of rock fans; their "main goal is to make music like in the old days. Composing during jam sessions, and recording live, the band wants to focus on the authenticity and unaltered spontaneity that made the rock’n’roll records we all love." - all good so far! Recorded in just 2 days, the album is a little belter!

There are eight tracks, all instrumental, named A1 to A4 and B1 to B4, which I kinda like, it gives the album the feel of a suite of music split into movements. 'A1' starts as the album means to go on; fuzzy riffs, some lovely wah-wah. There are some lovely moments of pure heavy psych and some that are more rawk'n'roll. 'A2' is even more indebted to the seventies and is a blockbuster of dirty, fuzzy riffs....there are definite flashes of the above mentioned influences....a bit of Iommi here and Page there, and even a bit of Mick Ronson.. the bass and drums keep the track right on track. The band know their way around their instruments that's for sure. 'A3' is a real ripsnorter, the guitar knocking out some psych/doom riffs and some of the solos are ace; seventies heavy psychedelic brought bang up to date. 'A4' begins with some acoustic guitar, very flamenco in style before evolving into an acoustic jam session. The playing is superlative, verging on classical guitar. The track comes as a surprise, but a very welcome one, breaking up the waves of riffs of the first tracks. 'B1' starts with some pretty damned cool bass before the riffs start up.....very Sabbath but with some 'metal' touches. At about the halfway mark the track slows down and morphs into some languid, pastoral psych, changing the whole focus of the track, before building back up into sub-doom, all huge guitar and mountains of fuzz. 'B2' is probably the most 'seventies' on the album, and again the influences are worn proudly on the bands sleeves; hints of 'Black Night' can be heard. 'B3' sees more gentler touches appear, alternating with passages of stoner rock; heavy and fuzzy. Some organ is added to the mix, giving it a more psychy feel. There is a lovely little blues breakdown at about the 4 minutes mark where the guitar becomes deeply mellow. 'B4' sees the return of the acoustic guitar, again played masterfully and is reminiscent of the intro to 'Pinball Wizard' at times. It is a fine way to finish a fine album.

There is nothing better in this world than hearing musicians who are at one with their instruments, and that is why this is such a satisfying album...these guys can play! The album is heavily influenced by some of the finest bands ever to grace the stage, but this is influenced not copied, the band bring their own sound and imagining to hard/psych rock. For a debut album this is assured, mature and technically spotless. I genuinely look forward to what Fuzzcrafter will give us in the future. The album is available as a download, on a 'Name your Price' basis or as a CD (€10) from their Bandcamp page here. The download also comes with an alternate master of the whole album which is heavily compressed to gain a few dBs for "difficult listening environments"....a nice touch.