Truckfighters have a new album, titled ‘V’, as in the Roman numeral 5, which is appropriate considering this is their fifth album in the Swedish bands 15 years of existence.
The first song “Calm Before the Storm”, displays some growth as singer and bass guitarist Oskar Cedermalm, A.K.A Ozo, shows off his vocal styling which are reminiscent at times of Layne Staley on the Alice In Chains album ‘Jar of Flies’ and solo work by Serj Tankian. The rest of the sound is filled up with Niklas Kallgren A.K.A Dango on lead guitar and latest drummer, Danial Israelsson A.K.A El Danno. Truckfighters have quite a list going of ex-drummers as they are currently on their eighth. But the rhythm doesn’t change much despite whoever is playing drums. ‘V’ has 7 tracks and plays just over 47 minutes, also displays some technical development on guitars but mainly harks back to their older style of playing with minimal or subdued vocals and plenty of music jamming known as a genre called desert rock, which various forms of music from grunge, heavy metal, alternative rock, psychedelia and others blended up to create sludgy grooves.
It’s a free form of music that flow ‘V’s all over the place and takes some getting used to. But if that’s what desert rock is, then Truckfighters fit the bill. They work the same formula of soft vocals and lots of music on each song, but too often the vocals are overpowered by the music. It’s a repetitive rhythm that Truckfighters deliver to take you on a ride. This is the kind of music that I imagine people at Burning Man would listen to while they journey through acid trips.
Having given this album several listens, it has grown on me. I think the complexities of all the various sounds can be extracted so each time you notice something new in each of the songs. Truckfighters have carved a niche among the desert rock genre and show no signs of stopping or changing their sound. Other stand-out tracks for me are “Hackshaw” with a pounding drum beat and thunderous bass accompanied with Ozo’s soothing vocals, it’s a wicked stormy mix that works. Also, “Gehenna” has a nice synthesizer type beat that drives the song.
Overall this album has a relaxed feel to it even though it’s filled with various elements of chaotic rhythms. You can hear something different in each song every time you listen. Fans of desert rock should be pleased with Truckfighters latest work and will enjoy jamming to and getting lost in the new songs.