Band:	Fu Manchu
Album:	The Return Of Tomorrow
Style:	Alternative metal, Stoner metal
Release date:	June 2024
Guest review by:	Blackcrowe

01. Dehumanize
02. Loch Ness Wrecking Machine
03. Hands Of The Zodiac
04. Haze The Hides
05. Roads Of The Lowly
06. (Time Is) Pulling You Under
07. Destroyin' Light
08. Lifetime Waiting
09. Solar Baptized
10. What I Need
11. The Return Of Tomorrow
12. Liquify
13. High Tide

Tomorrow’s Return.

Desert, trailers, oil, van trucks, buggies, skateboarding, and old sci-fi movies are part of the Palm Desert, Californian subculture from which Fu Manchu takes inspiration.

Their sound is mainly influenced by Black Sabbath, Mountain, MC5, and the punk of Dead Boys, Bl'ast, and Bad Brains. Along with Kyuss, Sleep, and Acid King, they are leading the way in defining what Palm Desert stoner rock should sound like.

Brant Bjork, a founding member of Kyuss, played drums on a few albums between 1997 and 2001 and also produced their debut, No One Rides For Free, in 1994. Former drummer Ruben Romano and former guitarist Eddie Glass went on to found the band Nebula.

Fu Manchu’s The Return Of Tomorrow is the band's 13th record and is their first release in six years since Clone Of The Universe in 2018, marking their longest hiatus. Scott Hill, the founder and frontman, declared that they plan to release a double album with seven heavy and fuzzy songs on one record and six mellow songs on the other, stating, “I may be the only person who enjoys listening to things like that.” In my opinion, the distorted side and the slower jammed side sound great and form a cohesive piece of music.

From the album's first song, "Deshumanize", filled with punk and heavy fuzz, to the last song, "High Tide" (a great instrumental reminiscent of Pink Floyd's "Pompeii"), The Return Of Tomorrow stands out as one of the more advanced and organized records in the band's discography, while maintaining their original attitude. Fu Manchu has expanded beyond their usual formula, incorporating regulated doses of fuzz. The guitar work on every song here is exceptional. The album is both fun and heavy, featuring great songs and a fantastic mix of the band's most recent releases.

The record runs for approximately 50 minutes, remaining catchy throughout and never feeling boring. Standout tracks include "What I Need" (possibly the finest in the Fu Manchu catalog), "Destroyin' Light", "Dehumanize", "Hands of Zodiac", "Solar Baptism", "Liquify", "Roads Of The Lowly", and the self-titled track. It's possible that some songs require prolonged jams to enhance the space rock feeling at certain points; perhaps a lengthy track like the final section of Clone Of The Universe would have been welcomed.

After almost 40 years, Fu Manchu have evolved into a more experienced band. However, there's a fleeting nostalgia for the anarchist vibe of their earlier works when they effortlessly blended punk and space rock without giving explanations or excuses. Listening to The Return Of Tomorrow brought back fond memories and reminded me of when I was first introduced to The Action Is Go in 1997. Despite the challenge of maintaining their essence while evolving, Fu Manchu remain a constant presence, staying true to their roots.