Rückwater - Bored Machine

 

 

Rückwater - Bored Machine
Inverse Records – 2024
Stoner, Alternative Rock
Rated: ****

Imagine cactuses growing on an icy plain in midwinter. Somewhere on that plain a derelict log cabin. Inside that cabin three musicians praying to the desert gods to keep them warm. But those gods aren't willing to obey straight out the gate. They want those musicians to practice their butts of, dig into the depth of their frozen bodies to summon the energy needed to create an inner warmth, to envision a desert outside their cabin and become one with the environment they're longing for. Thus said, these musicians start churning out beat after bloody beat, riff after bloody riff, until a portal appears that transports them straight to the vast, barren landscape of Joshua Tree Park. There Rückwater find redemption in combining the stoner rawk of bands like Red Giant with the magic of Kyuss, the distinct melodies of fellow Finns Mangoo and a healthy dose of alternative rock to shape and perfect the sound for their second full length 'Bored Machine' that offers eight sweaty songs in 45 minutes.

They open proceedings with 'N.O.T.S.Y.', a melodic stoner song based around fierce, bulldozering grooves and tons of melodic passages for some welcome balance. It's without a doubt one of the best tracks, but this lake of frozen dust offers much, much more. 'No More Air', another highlight, sets you on the wrong foot with some nice acoustic guitar, suggesting a heartfelt ballad about a lover lost is in the making, but sooner rather than later they wipe the ground from under your feet, letting you fall into the dark pit of hell with aggressive metal-type riffing and an even more aggressive, black-meets-death-metal-style vocal delivery. 'Home Economics' on the other hand summons the spirits of El Caco and aforementioned Mangoo before ending in an all-out stoner frenzy, while 'Birthday Boy' adds an unexpected touch of punk to the mix.

Closer 'Waiting for the Ride' is the most epic tune, veering off into progressive territory, being at the same time the most pop-sensitive and most metal-minded tune. Once it's finished the portal closes and the musicians are back where they started - in that log cabin in the middle of nowhere. Looking out the window there's light brown sand as far as the eye can see. The sun, high up in the sky, produces a blistering heat and the cactuses wear a smile of approval. Yes, Rückwater have brought the desert to Finland and it's a place of sheer beauty.

(Written by Ronny Dijksterhuis)

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