There are those people who you always run into at your friends parties, even though you don’t really know them yourself. You know who I’m talking about. You’ve been introduced to them, even talked to them a bit, and even though you don’t know much about them, they seem like a cool person. You’re acquainted, but you’ve never tried to become friends. To me, FISTER is one of those people.

Since 2014, Fister have released six split records, most of which are in my collection, because I dig their collaborators. I mean, I had to have their splits with Primitive Man, Dopethrone and Chrch and I got their split with Teeth for review when it first came out. And yet, I had never listened to a full-length by Fister before. That changed with their latest record, ‘No Spirit Within’ (2018 - Listenable Records).

Frozen Scythe

Opener “Frozen Scythe” might fool listeners who aren’t familiar with these boys from St. Louis, Missouri. It sounds like the soundtrack for some spaghetti western, but with some light horror undertones thrown into the mix. It slowly builds up to the bulldozer entrance of “Disgraced Possession,” a filthy display of the blackened doom I’ve learned to expect from the band.

Disgraced Possession

Slow, chugging riffs pound your eardrums with a focused kind of aggression. The kind that slowly, but forcefully bashes its message in your skull. The message in this case being misery, desperation and death. If you are looking for even the slightest hint of light, this song isn’t for you. Just listen to that guitar solo, supported by the pounding snare drum. It’s like a dentist’s drill is lodged into your ear canal while a nail is being driven into your head.

Cazador

“Cazador” screws down the tempo to the point where it can barely be perceived as music. Then, completely unexpected, the band speeds up to a punk tempo – relatively speaking, that is. Before you know it, the tempo is dropped again, each note accompanied a grunted syllable. The song ends with a sweet guitar solo backed by some more pounding. If you’re not into this kind of sonic torture, this song will probably end up giving you brain damage. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

I Am Kuru

Finally there’s some room to breathe again. “I Am Kuru” starts off with some more traditional doom, but it wouldn’t be a Fister song if there wasn’t something to make it uncomfortable. In this case, it is a backing tape of voices, looped to an indistinguishable mash. This is probably the most accessible song on this record.

No Spirit Within

The title track continues the more traditional streak. This 12-minute mammoth of a song stands out in how varied it is. One moment you’re dwelling in a funeral doom mist, the next you’re being trampled by a stampede of pure heaviness. The sludgy feel of it all makes me wonder if this is what being sucked into the swamps of Missouri feels like. “No Spirit Within” is an accurate title, since this song sucks the life right out of you.

Heat Death & Star Swallower

Clocking at less than 4 minutes, “Heat Death” is a short intermezzo of chords and feedback, only to prepare you for the highlight of the album: “Star Swallower.” This song has some sweet, feedback-drenched riffs and fiendish howls, supported by a growling bass and pounding drum patterns. There’s nothing new in this song, but everything just comes together perfectly. Halfway through, Kirk Gatterer starts giving away some pounding drum rolls, supported by some very effective guitar riffs. I wouldn’t have minded if they had kept that going for a little longer. This is mostly because this is the last song of No Spirit Within and I’m not ready leave the state of bliss this record has put me in.

No Spirit Within certainly isn’t meant for everyone. It’s dark and extremely dense, but it grabs you and manages to keep you in its grip from start to finish. To get back to my original analogy, this turns out to be a great guy. Not someone to introduce to your family, but helluva lot of fun to hang out with. It’s the kind of guy who, five minutes after you’ve met him, proudly shows you the blisters on his scrotum and asks if you want to touch it. Brilliant! Disgusting and horrifying, but brilliant!

The prolific Port Orchard, Washington trio MOS GENERATOR has been cooking up another feisty full-length rocker for us. The eight songs of ‘Shadowlands’ (2018), out May 18th, make up one incredible release and I’m very happy to be reviewing it for you guys. I know this band is a big one for a lot of people out there and this, full disclosure, is my first proper initiation into a Mos Generator album, as I’ve previously only listened to a song or two here and there. I am happy to report that this is an excellent album full of powerful riffs and influences that range from Led Zeppelin to Lynyrd Skynyrd, not to mention some fantastic vocal work.

The title track introduces the album and is one of the more rocking tunes on the album (not that they all don’t rock). The opening riff is southern-flavored, with a heaping helping of Zeppelin swagger. As it leads into the first verse, it gets heavier and then lightens for the verse itself. This surprised me, but generated some genuine excitement to hear how this song would play out. I love the verse riffs, especially, and Tony’s vocals are suitably matched with them. “Shadowlands” is a killer song any way you slice it and a great way to open up the album.

The album closes in grand fashion, too, with “The Wild and the Gentle Dogs.” The acoustic guitar that ushers us into the opening moments the track is beautifully written. Sean Booth’s bass work is deliciously well-played. Vocally, this sounds like Dave Brockie has returned from the grave to add his truculent style to this wicked number, only in the visage of Tony Reed. The midsection of the song is an ominously toned riff. Listen on for a lead that Jimmy Page would be proud to call his own. This is just a seriously badass song from start to finish.

“Drowning in Your Loving Cup” is awesome, too. I really like the lyrical content, which is well suited to the thematic power and catchy rhythm of the music. There are once again spots where Tony has that Dave Brockie tone to his voice. I love that, as I sorely miss Dave Brockie’s musical escapades.

My top pick here, though, is “The Destroyer.” It’s easy to get into Tony’s driving guitar play, which works perfectly with the Jon Garrett’s steady-on drumming. The breakout leads and guitar licks bear a distinct Jimmy Page influence, an element of Mos Generator that I feel never gets old. The chorus is enormous and as catchy as anything on the album. Every aspect of this track speaks to me in a phenomenal way.

Shadowlands is a fantastic listen, brilliantly conceived and executed, an LP that fans old and new alike will be able to really sink their teeth into. Mos Generator has stacked the deck with everything a good album ought to have: killer riffs, strong songwriting, great vocal work, and the ability to wear one’s influences on the sleeve, while carving out a distinct sound. May 18th is the street date for this Listenable Records spin. I think you’d be well advised to grab this great album and give it a prime place in your collection.

Mos Generator on Tour

(with Fu Manchu)

• May 1st - Rebel Lounge – Phoenix, AZ
• May 3rd - Curtain Club – Dallas, TX
• May 4th - Barracuda – Austin, TX
• May 4th - White Oak Music Hall – Houston, TX
• May 7th - Vinyl – Atlanta, GA
• May 8th - Kings – Raleigh, NC
• May 9th - Rock & Roll Hotel – Washington, DC
• May 10th - Brillobox – Pittsburgh, PA *
• May 11th - Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA
• May 12th - Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY
• May 13th - Brighton Music Hall – Allston, MA
• May 14th - Mohawk Place – Buffalo, NY *
• May 15th - Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH
• May 16th - Ace Of Cups – Columbus, OH
• May 17th - El Club – Detroit, MI
• May 18th - The Baby G – Toronto, ON *
• May 19th - Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL
• May 20th - Total Drag Records – Sioux Falls, SD *
• May 22nd - Streets of London Pub – Denver, CO
• May 23rd - Streets of London Pub – Denver, CO
• May 25th - Substation – Seattle, WA*
• May 26th - The Manette – Bremerton, WA *

* Mos Generator only