Fu Manchu formed in 1985 as Hardcore-Punk outfit Virulence whose sole release 1988’s If This Isn’t A Dream… has been reissued by Southern Lord. After this came a name and musical style change reminiscent of Corrosion of Conformity who undertook a similar evolution themselves.
Fast forward 39 years and the Fu’s are considered one of Desert and Stoner Rock’s pioneers alongside Kyuss, Monster Magnet, and Sleep. Their latest release The Return of Tomorrow is notable for not only being the band’s first ever double-album, but also marks their longest gap between records (six years since 2018’s Clone of the Universe). Let’s hope the wait has been worth it.
“Dehumanize” recalls “Evil Eye” from the band’s classic fourth album 1997’s The Action Is Go. Its trademark Fu Manchu, opening the album with kickass Punk Rock energy delivered in a fashion that only they can pull off. While the aforementioned Virulence has long since disbanded, that initial early Hardcore influence never really went away, and its no fuss, punchy approach makes for a fantastic opening statement of intent. “Loch Ness Wrecking Machine” by contrast is a slower gargantuan number with an irresistible catchiness that will lock itself into your brain for hours after, while “Hands Of The Zodiac” has shades of 70’s Rock recalling tracks such as “Working Man” by Rush as well as “The Bomber” by James Gang, fantastic. “Roads Of The Lowly” features really cool metallic riffing and was a little unexpected, and its possibly one of the heavier tracks in the band’s musical canon.
The album’s shortest track “(Time Is) Pulling You Under” at just over two minutes features some absolutely blazing solos as well as awesome Rollins-era Black Flag bleakness and cool Bl’ast Skate-Punk running throughout. Whereas the album’s first six tracks adopted a mostly hell for leather show no mercy approach, “Destroyin’ Light” is somewhat more experimental and psychedelic, a prelude if you like for the impending 2nd LP’s reportedly slower tempo jams, though it still manages to rock like a mother during the choruses. “Lifetime Waiting” is a contemplative and introspective bluesy jam that makes for interesting listening, demonstrating that even this far into their career Fu Manchu still sound excited at the prospect of trying out new sounds as a way of keeping things interesting for themselves. This is highlighted yet further with the album’s longest track at nearly six minutes “Solar Baptized” which employs the use of Synths and Samsara Blues Experiment style Psych trippiness. Wow is all that can be said here, a freshness added to the band’s sonic stew.
“What I Need” is a little Sabbath in places with parts recalling “A National Acrobat” from 1973’s Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, the track as a whole showcasing a newfound musical maturity and finesse, and “The Return Of Tomorrow” has a bombastic 1980’s Heavy Metal vibe ala Judas Priest and Scorpions. This may prove off-putting to some but it actually works well as the Vocals remain reassuringly grounded. ‘Liquify’ utilizes really cool Funk-Rock ala Sly and The Family Stone and Parliament as well as some Rolling Stones swagger. Finally “High Tide” is an instrumental that concludes the album on an exceedingly mellow note. Featuring bongos and acoustic Guitar it once more tips its hat to Sabbath and “Spirit Caravan.”
Fu Manchu are like AC/DC and The Ramones in that you pretty much know what you’re going to get. However, the band have bucked the trend this time around to forge a slightly different sound and they have, for the most part, succeeded.
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8 / 10
REZA MILLS
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