Clone of the Universe, the new album from Fu Manchu, is a tale of two halves. Released on the band’s own At The Dojo Records, the songs that make up side A are exactly what we’ve come to expect from these stoner rock stalwarts. After all, this is the bands 12th album of raunchy, fuzzed out anthems. It’s equal parts 70’s rock and doom and 80’s punk and hardcore. At times it’s slow enough to feel the groove, other times it’s fast enough to skate to. Whatever you want to call it - stoner metal, desert rock or something else entirely, Fu Manchu is foundational to the genre.
All six songs on the first half are standouts. “Intelligent Worship” starts things off and leads to “(I’ve Been) Hexed”, the most immediately catchy track on Clone. “Don’t Panic” and “Slower Than Light” both have memorable riffs and ample guitar licks. “Nowhere Left To Hide” and the title track round out the very satisfying side A. All these songs easily fit right in with Fu Manchu’s already substantial body of work. That is not to undervalue what these guys do. The fact that they have it down to a science doesn’t make it any less impressive. Whether or not you love Clone of the Universe will likely depend on how you feel about the second half.