FuZZrD: ‘Near Life Experience”
FUZZRD
NEAR LIFE EXPERIENCE
Released on December 10, 2021 (FuZZrD)
Review:
As I sit at my computer, headphones in, iTunes open and far to loudly immersing myself in the debut long play Near Life Experience from Minneapolis’ FuZZrD, I can’t help but be reminded of a now infamous quote taken from conversations with my dear friend Gordon Gekko, of which I will share here: “The point is ladies and gentlemen that FuZZrD for lack of a better word are good, real good. FuZZrD are right. FuZZrD works. FuZZrD clarifies, cuts through and captures the revolutionary spirit of rock n’ roll. FuZZrD in all their forms, hard rock, melodic rock, and heavy metal have marked the upward swing of rock n roll. And FuZZrD, mark my words, will not only save this fickle rock n roll industry as we know it, but mark my words, FuZZrD will, and a big thank you to Dave Meniketti, FuZZrD will also “save the world”. FuZZrD “is the way were gonna change it.”
As many may know over the past year, FuZZrD have been teasing Near Life Experience through a series of pro made videos, 1 every three to four months. They started this media blitz with the albums lead off track “Monster Carnival”, then came track none’s “Viral Connection” and its collaboration with the Mark Slaughter. The third video being track five’s “Life Turned Black” and the latest, well until today and the release of the video for track three’s “Pins & Needles”, was the album’s closer “Out On A Limb” and this well crafted archetype seems to be have been well received.
To the casual listener, FuZZrD and Near Life Experience will be one of those aural riddles that they can’t quite put their finger on but know that when any of the ten tracks are heard, an instantaneous recognition, appreciation and jubilation is achieved. It’s ot unlike that feeling when classic, seasoned and highly successful acts in the likes of Bon Jovi, KISS, AC/DC, Def Leppard, Metallica or Aerosmith come on the radio, with what may seem like a supremely simple formulaic song, with songwriting and standard 2’s and 4’s song structures, that when done right create that five gallon bucket of ear worms. There is no denying that the songs are good, great and certainly unmistakable, yet why? Well for the artist and the audiophiles, it is known that to achieve that unwavering appreciation, admiration and adoration from a seemingly simple song or melody, it is quite a laborious and complex endeavour.
It’s an art form really and FuZZrD have done so, through their painstaking effort of crafting song structures that grab hold and move the listener with songwriting that is engaging and poignant, production that locks bass speakers and has more layers than Tigertailz‘s Berzerk album. The songwriting also has a mixture of subtle, complex and downright obvious nods (plenty of Easter eggs herein, the album is literally littered with them) to the bands that stood on the mountain and shouted ‘keep it simple stupid.’ As a listener, you have that revelation while listening and at that moment when you do recognize, then FuZZrD have plowed forward and you’re swept up in the undertow. That is the art. It’s these details that cull the heard, separating the greats from the unfortunate average and ultimately have listeners constantly replaying the songs in an attempt to catch those moments that courtesy of those well crafted songs continue to be elusive, but ultimately that is OK because the songs are good. It’s just those subtleties that make them great.
From the opening chords of “Monster Carnival”, which is simply a monster of a hard rock track, your ears instantly perk up. At the six second mark, the tidal wave of sound hits you in the chest like a 40″ kick drum, knocking you back on your heals, plastering a Cheshire cat grin on your mug and setting the unrelenting tempo for the aural onslaught that is to come. For the next 40 minutes, FuZZrD are on a mission — a mission of mass distortion. Amongst a literal cavalcade of the aforementioned trade tricks, effects use, gear and production wizardry, hold on for the ride and you don’t have to be Danica McKellar or Raymond Babbitt to notice the songs clock in at that sweet spot 3:30 ish minute mark. Another trade secret to mass appeal, get in, set the hook, land the listener and move on to the next one. The rock n’ roll revolution that are FuZZrD and Near Life Experience, the listener nary has a moment to catch their breath. Track after track is a clinic in hard rock and melodic metal. Swerving purposely in and out of headbanging, fist pumping metal, to Leppard-esque gang vocals and Joe Elliott exasperated breathy sighs, to heart wrenching arena rock angst ridden balladry. Cigarette lighters (cellphones) engaged.
No play by play today kids as it would be a disservice to the listener, as on each and every spin, Near Life Experience and all of its delectable nuances is like Christmas day to be appreciate and (re) discovered. A few highlights (not a lowlight here) and extra points for noticing the Vibro-slap (Google it), the Zube Tube, the palm muted slide harmonic, the Joe Perry inspired “clean” solo, the perfectly timed “UH” which makes me think of Lzzy Hale every time (thanks to Minutes To Late Night), the Metallica “Die By My Hands” march… The highlights don’t end there with the hammerons at the 36 second mark of “Pins & Needles” (oops and thanks Brett for not repeating them), the numerous George Lynch infused solos, the China Boys (there are plenty and an underused cymbal), the gong, the “Snake” Sabo inspired solo… There are also the Kory Clarke vocals (yep, Brett can go from Joe Elliott, to Matt Kramer to vintage Kory Clarke without hesitation), the Dweezil Zappa inspired solo at the 2:20 mark of “Viral Connection” that segues into a Saigon Kick choral movement, back to the pre-chorus and then another Dweezil incanted outro solo (just brilliant — oops again), the Rainbow inspired intro, and this list goes on and on and on….
The four-piece in Brett, Eric, Robert and Scott generate enough sonic power to light New York City. Each player places forth absolute session player skills throughout the run time of Near Life Experience. It’s quite humbling and equally as staggering to know that there are individuals with this much musical proficiencies that are standing next to you at the Quick Stop who can create and perform to this level and that are not heralded among the rock n’ roll community as the metal Gods they are. But hey, if FuZZrD were the known commodity they should be, then there would be nothing to write about today and there wouldn’t be another “Unknown but must own” for me to share with my friends.
Surmising, Near Life Experience ticks all the boxes when it comes to a rock n’ roll record that is appealing, radio friendly, shows a diversity in the musicians and their appreciation not only for their audience, but for the fellow players that get driven by ingenuity. I, for one, am thankful for the efforts gentlemen and being selfish, I can’t wait for more future FuZZrD, and Near Life Experience for all the previous prattling is certainly a desert island disc.
Track List:
01. Monster Carnival
02. Give Up The Ghost
03. Pins & Needles
04. Life Turned Black
05. Demons
06. Witchcraft Singalong
07. Razor
08. Inside The Waves
09. Viral Connection
10. Out On A Limb
Band Members:
Brett Petrusek – lead vocals, guitars
Eric Fairchild – guitars, background vocals
Robert Berg – bass, background vocals
Scott Savage – drums
Additional Musicians:
Mark Slaughter – guitars, background vocals (9)
Eric Vobejda – additional guitars (1, 2, 7, 8)
Jeremy Tappero – additional guitars, zube tube
Production:
Produced, engineered and mixed by Jeremy Tappero
Mastered by Greg Reierson
Assistant Engineering by Todd Fitzgerald
Band Websites:
Official Website
Facebook
Reviewed by Terry Martinson for Sleaze Roxx, December 2021
FuZZrD‘s “Pins & Needles” (video):
Pins & Needles [Official Music Video]
FuZZrd’s official music video “Pins & Needles” from the debut album “Near Life Experience” released: 12.10.2021Subscribe to Fuzzrd’s YouTube Channel: https:/…
FuZZrD‘s “Monster Carnival” (video):
Fuzzrd: Monster Carnival (Official Music Video)
Hailing from Minneapolis, MN the guitar driven heavy rock band FuZZrdinvites you to experience Monster Carnival, the turbo-charged lead trackfrom their debut…