Fuzz Rock
Independent Release
Release Date – June 14th 2023
Line Up:
Conrad Lummus – Guitar/Vocals
Adam Stewart – Drums
Tracklist:
1 – Witching Hour
2 – The Only Good Wizard Is A Dead Wizard
3 – Interlude (No Peace In The Village)
4 – Don’t Be Scared Of The Dark
5 – Dungeon Crawler
6 – The Sorcerers Theme (Bonus Track)
The exotically named Massasauga (pronounced mass-sa-sar-gah) hail from the equally exotic Coventry in the West Midlands and comprise Conrad Lummus (guitar/vocals) and Adam Stewart (Drums). Here they have created this EP with the concept around the witch trials of the 17th century, the mass hysteria, mob mentality, sacrifice, and ancient magic.
Opening with a fuzz rock groover ‘Witching Hour’ which tells us of a human squirming and begging for mercy before their ritual sacrifice. Lummus gives us some stunning echoey leads and has a voice not too dissimilar from Sisters Of Mercy Andrew Eldritch, all rich and deep. ‘The Only Good Wizard Is A Dead Wizard’ is simpler and has the townsfolk gathering with pitchforks and blazing torches as the Witchfinder General calls them into action then we get ‘Interlude (No Peace In The Village)’ where night falls on the village but the townsfolk don’t get any sleep. It’s a dreamy, spooky, psych groove that hypnotizes before the mighty riffage of ‘Don’t Be Scared Of The Dark’ where the people gather at dawn unknown of what they are scared of most. Man, this is catchy as hell. The townsfolk take to the streets and kill whatever is in front of them on ‘Dungeon Crawler’. They kill with impunity, innocent or guilty, it doesn’t matter. But the king is killed, and an ancient evil is released thanks to guest vocals from Sam Shiers of Ambrius. Bonus track ‘The Sorcerer’s Theme’ ends things with a spacey synth instrumental.
A concept that I can follow with music that is simple and direct but also adds the right atmosphere that conjures cinematic visions. My only criticism would be that this needs a bass player. I think a huge bottom end would have given the songs that extra punch. That said, it’s an excellent release and Lummus knows his way around a fretboard. Worth investing in.
Written by: Smudge
Ratings: 7/10
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