Hailing from New Jersey, Ruby the
Hatchet is a psychedelic rock quintet that has gathered quite the rabid
following over the years. It’s already been five years since their last album, Planetary Space Child, and they are set
to unleash their fourth LP, Fear Is a
Cruel Master, this coming October 21st via Magnetic Eye Records.
They’re back! I love this band!
You can always judge the album by its cover when it comes to Ruby the Hatchet;
they continuously have the most gorgeous artwork and the songs that accompany
it are always just as awesome, Fear Is a Cruel
Master being no different. This album finds the band at the peak of their
powers, with singer Jillian Taylor sounding better than ever. “The Change” is a
bewitching opener with a genuine vintage rock ‘n’ roll sound. One of the
highlights of the record. “Deceiver” is a terrific song with a superb guitar
solo. “Primitive Man” is another ‘70s-sounding track with infectious hooks and
catchy lyrics. Love the guitars in this one. “1000 Years” is my favorite track
on the LP. An absolute jewel of a song, slower-paced with wonderful harmonies
and weeping guitar. “Soothsayer” is a song of epic proportions with plenty of
good riffs to satisfy even the most demanding rocker. Jillian shares vocal
duties with one of the boys on “Last Saga”, a runner-up for best song of the
album. This song has it all! “Thruster” follows, the LP’s first single and easily
the catchiest track on here, a song that you’ll be humming for the rest of the
day after hearing it. The eighth and final song is a kickass heavy psych tune
titled “Amor Gravis” (heavy love) that has a timeless quality to it.
One of the things I love about
this album is the use of the organ at precise moments to accentuate a song’s intensity.
Jillian Taylor is an outstanding vocalist, she reminds me a bit of the great Pat
Benatar, not exactly in the way she sounds, but with her commanding presence on
every track. Ruby the Hatchet delivers one of their most polished albums yet;
what a finely-tuned record this is! The five-year gap between albums has really
allowed the band to hone their skills as musicians and songwriters. I also
believe that Fear Is a Cruel Master
is their most accessible album yet. If you haven’t experienced their music until
now, then you are truly missing out on a very special band. Fans of heavy psych,
rock ‘n’ roll, and classic rock will cherish this gem of an album.
Ruby the Hatchet on Bandcamp: https://thehatchet.bandcamp.com/album/fear-is-a-cruel-master
Magnetic Eye Records on Bandcamp: https://magneticeyerecords.bandcamp.com/
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