FAT.MO.MAC – Fat.Mo.Mac (2015)
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It’s fairly known: all metal-related musicians have a classic rock formation. So it’s not strange to see Swedish guitarist Lars Johansson (from doom metal band Candlemass) creating a parallel band classic bluesy hard rock oriented. Their name is FAT.MO.MAC, who are presenting their self-titled debut.
Johansson reached out to some fellow musicians and friends for this album, and without a doubt the most resonant is awesome shouter Mats Leven, ex partner once in Candlemass but famous for his work with Yngwie Malmsteen, Dogface, Treat, Swedish Erotica et all.
Also on board is guitarist Klas Gunnerfeldt (Psycosomatic Cowboys, Primate Life, Backwood Preachers, et al), bassist Tobbe Moen (Gotham City, Oz, et al), and drummer -but also AOR singer – Stefan Gunnarsson (Janne Schaffer, Raj Montana Band, et al).
Additionally, guitarist Roger Eklof, who was at the start at the project, but tragically died before completion, is heard on three tracks.
First of all … what’s up with the name? Its from Fatmomakke, one of the largest Alps of northern Sweden near the polar circle.
And the music?
Kicking off the CD is “Walk Alone”, which sets the album up perfectly, both for sound and image. The opening riff is undeniably bluesy with its warm tone, accompanied by the short wailing vocal line that creates the epitome of a blues track within the first few seconds. The song is well-paced with an eclectic guitar solo to boot. The title is fitting for the niche as it brings imagery of a Robert Johnson-esque character doing his business along the dusty roads, yet in contrast to the lyrics of a vehicle being involved.
However, FAT.MO.MAC approach is heavy, meaty bluesy hard rock all over the record.
Sometimes they are kept on a slow pace like the 5 minutes long “Always like That” and “Memories is All There Is”. Other moments are more the grooving ones like “Gearshifter” and the quite fast “Cold Woman”.
And with the closer “Get Home” you have more the impression that ‘home’ is in Alabama more than in Sweden.
FAT.MO.MAC may look as ‘another side project’ at first glance, yet after listening this disc I assure you this is very good classic stuff played from the heart.
Mats Leven performance adds another plus to this album. His delivery provides a whole new level grittiness and soul to the Fat.Mo.Mac sound. At first, I thought it contrived, but his focus and voice fits the music perfectly, and after a couple of listens, it’s the album highlight.
Talking about Johansson’s guitar approach, while traditional, seems to have a real American feeling, born somewhere out Texas maybe. Maybe that’s a compliment.
Otherwise, for some working man’s gritty and grinding bluesy hard rock, Lars Johansson and his Fat.Mo.Mac project are the real deal.
Strongly Recommended.
1 – Walk Alone
2 – So Bad It Feels
3 – Broken Down
4 – Kickback
5 – Always Like That
6 – Cold Woman
7 – Memories Is All There Is
8 – Gearshifter
Mats Leven – vocals
Lars Johansson – guitars
Klas Gunnerfeldt – guitars
Roger Eklof – guitar
Tobbe Moen – bass
Stefan Gunnarsson – drums
BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/Fat-Mo-Mac/dp/B00UBZLG8O
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