Gozu – Gozu VI
Gozu – Gozu VI
Metal Blade Records / Blacklight Media Records
Release date: 05/15/26
Review by: Jon Deaux
7.5/10
Gozu, Boston, six studio albums, and this time, their frontman was trapped in a crappy apartment during the whole creation period, sober, pouring out his feelings. As far as the world of stoner rock goes, that is pretty much similar to a clergyman proclaiming that he left religion but managed to hang on to his robes. Marc Gaffney didn’t drink at all. Played guitar till midnight every single night as though somebody had asked him to do it. The outcome is eight songs sounding like the product of emotional suffering processed by a Marshall amp, which is either a therapeutic work of art or a tax deduction. Most likely, both.
Their sixth studio album is titled ‘Gozu VI.’ There is no subtitle, no manifesto, no anything else besides ‘Gozu VI’ – just like a parking ticket. It is the album title version of a firm handshake from a person not smiling since 2019. I appreciate that fully. Most of the bands would call it Serpent Throne of the Burning Meridian and hire an illustrator to design a wizard’s portrait for the cover. But Gozu has just used the Roman numeral VI instead.
The album kicks off with ‘Corinthian Leatherface.’ Queens of the Stone Age vibe dragged through Motown harmonies. This shouldn’t work, and absolutely does like a bacon sandwich at 2 a.m. We’re also told that the name of the song has nothing to do with its lyrics at all, and the frontman provides us with a detailed explanation for some reason. Well, we got the message loud and clear; the song is awesome; move on.
This track shows how rare is the technique of leaving empty spots used by many contemporary bands working in this genre. There is a mid-section in it, where everything is opened wide and breathes as though somebody has broken the window and then closed it back. It creates a contrast to increase the effect of the two parts of the song. Dynamic range in heavy music. Revolutionary concept. Someone should definitely tell others.
‘Killer Khan’ is a story of how Doug Sherman created it with just four words – he recorded a phone video of a guitar riff and sent it to the frontman with a simple message: “think Rough Boys by Pete Townshend.” This phone recording resulted in a pretty good riff. The song is big, brutal, and emotionally immoderate, which is exactly what it must be. Heartbreak combined with Jameson’s – the best combination ever. It kills you, but you always ask for more.
‘Corner Lariat’ doesn’t make any attempts to make an impressive opening for itself. It just starts and gradually gets under your skin, and three days later, you find yourself singing it at the self-checkout counter while the customer behind you in the queue is getting uneasy. Sherman’s performance in this song is unusually reserved; lead guitarists trying not to outshine the other musicians are the most reliable musicians in rock music. That’s the truth.
‘Banacek’ rushes as a Harris homage track that has somehow got to a Jellyfish tribute gig and found its true calling. The influence of Jellyfish on it was “intrinsic” in relation to vocal harmonies, which sounds rather ridiculous until you actually hear what Gaffney sings in the chorus. The man knows how to sing. In the genre, where vocalists are considered an option, it is pretty rare.
‘They Did Know Karate’ is a song reminding us that it needs to be entertaining. It is the same feeling like getting a cold beer on a hot day after walking miles and miles under the burning sun. Throughout the entire album, Grotto has been carrying out a structural work of a bass player just as load-bearing walls do. It is where she has her moment.
The song ‘Gimme the Lute’ allows Sherman to play acoustic guitar in a chorus to reveal his “inner Joni Mitchell”. It would definitely get you out of the venue if it were performed in the American Midwest, but here it works perfectly. Softness highlights the harder moments of it. An excellent example of a stupid idea successfully implemented. The history of rock music is full of such examples.
Finally, Corvette Summer’s matter-of-fact ending of the record; there is no extended outro or ambient fade-out into eternity; just the song ending and Gaffney finishing the performance with the quote from the Eat a Peach album of the Allman Brothers. The warmth in it seems to come from experience, and after listening to so much processed emotional suffering, it hits the right spot.
Here is the problem with Gozu that genre labels keep hiding. The band cannot be strictly defined as a stoner or doom band; neither is it grunge nor classic rock. They willingly accept all these definitions plus their own addition – “easy listening with a touch of cayenne pepper,” which sounds pretty much either genius marketing or what happens when none of the band members can clearly say what their music sounds like. Both cases are equally interesting.
There are flaws in this record. There are moments in the middle of the album when the track just seems to be cruising, and the band just enjoys being within its groove, and that is definitely against the rules of rock music. It is brilliant whenever it is unsettled, and the emotional pain that Gaffney is constantly talking about starts showing through the music.
But the record is honest. Genuine, unfashionable, honest. And in today’s market, which is full of music processed to death and deprived of any edge at all, honesty and slight imperfection is better than perfection any day.
Gaffney says this album will cheer you up when you need to feel better after a tough day or return to neutrality.
It may well be true.
But still, if your tough day requires listening to this record at full volume, maybe it is better to see a professional.
Just my opinion.
TRACK LISTING
01. Corinthian Leatherface
02. Midnight Express
03. Killer Khan
04. Corner Lariat
05. Banacek
06. They Did Know Karate
07. Gimme the Lute
08. Corvette Summer
LINKS
https://www.facebook.com/GOZU666
https://gozu.bandcamp.com/
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/gozu/274410173
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3CcEVa0kc113lQDnVTyIBg