Stoner rock is all about immersing yourself in sound – letting riffs wash over you, like waves of distortion-driven hypnosis. Big Muff Brigade’s debut album, π, doesn’t just play by the genre’s rules; it leans into them with unrelenting energy and just enough flair to make it their own.
This is the sound of a band that knows exactly what it wants to do: they aim for the gut with massive riffs, thunderous rhythms, and an unapologetic love for fuzz. The result? A record that feels raw, alive, and gloriously heavy.
From the first riff to the last, π is a guitar-lover’s paradise. The guitars attack is thick and immersive, with plenty of grit and sustain that gives the songs their weighty, almost tactile quality. While the influences are clear – think Sabbath’s massive groove filtered through the hypnotic repetition of Kyuss – the band injects enough of their personality to keep it from sounding derivative.
The rhythm section does more than hold the line; it drives everything forward. The bass doesn’t just follow the guitars – it growls and snarls, carving out its space in the low-end mix. And the drums? A perfect throwback to the earthy, no-frills punch of 70s rock, complete with fills that feel organic and not overly polished.
Aitor Granadero’s vocals aren’t flashy, but they don’t need to be. His grunge-tinged delivery has an everyman quality, full of emotion and just enough edge to cut through the dense instrumentation. The melodies won’t always stick with you after the first listen, but his performance has an honesty that fits perfectly with the band’s down-to-earth vibe.
What makes π work is its consistency. The tracks don’t stray far from the central formula – heavy riffs, groove-centric rhythms, and an ever-present haze of distortion – but the band knows how to make the formula satisfying. Each song feels like a piece of a larger puzzle, building a cohesive atmosphere that invites you to get lost in it.
That said, the album doesn’t always surprise. Some moments feel a little too safe, relying on familiar patterns that don’t take risks. You can’t help but wonder what would happen if the band loosened the reins a bit more – maybe letting a track spiral into chaotic improvisation or injecting an unexpected dynamic shift.
Big Muff Brigade’s π is exactly what you want from a debut stoner rock record: heavy, immersive, and unapologetically riff-driven. It’s not out to reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t have to – this is a band that knows its strengths and plays to them with confidence.
While the album sticks closely to the genre’s conventions, it’s executed with enough passion and raw energy to make it a worthwhile listen. If you’re into fuzz pedals, driving rhythms, and the kind of grooves that make your head bob without you realizing it, π is an album worth cranking up loud.
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Released by Argonauta Records on November 29th, 2024
Music source for review – Grand Sounds PR
