Suncraft – Flat Earth Rider
Release Date: 6th August 2021
Label: All Good Clean Records
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Genre: Heavy Stoner Rock N’ Roll
FFO: Kvelertak, Fu Manchu, Bokassa, Orange Goblin.
Review By: Paul Franklin
It now seems to be the standard narrative. 2020, pandemic, no tours, band record new album. Case in point, Oslo-based Suncraft. After a few years spent lurking with intent in the nooks and crannies of the Norwegian underground scene, the four-piece release their debut album.
Lyrically, the album ponders on themes of greed, alienation, loneliness, and spirituality, reflecting upon conundrums of contemporary life. Musically it’s a sweaty, writhing orgy of riveting rock riffs, thumping stoner grooves and luscious melodies, with the dominant influence changing as the action progresses. Following the opening (and title) track, which paints a tragicomic picture of an imagined flat earther’s search for truth and meaning, whilst still managing to dish up powerful riffs and a “Welcome to the party!” vibe, Space Buddha feels like it’s trying to ease up a bit with some cosmic style space rock but ends up giving in to the friskiness with some stadium sized solos. The mood then takes a darker twist with the down and dirty stoner grooves of Commie Cannibals.
Like most orgies (I’d imagine!) there are occasions when there is some uncertainty, and the parties involved are not sure in which direction everything should be going! Here it’s the brilliantly titled Lingo Hive Mind, which finds itself pulled between driving desert rock and snotty-nosed punk. Still, with the requisite broad-minded enthusiasm and a ‘can do’ attitude it all works out in the end.
As indeed it does with the standout track, Adaptation. Five and a half minutes that see the band absolutely nail and sustain their rhythm. Offsetting passages of wistful, swirling introspection perfectly against heavy crashes, all building to a soaring solo at the finish.
Final track Bridge to Nowhere brings the curtain down with an extended flourish, it’s ten minutes reminding you of all the good stuff that went before. You can hear Fu Manchu in the grooves, Kvelertak in the blackened rock n’ roll and early Monster Magnet in the trippy swirls.
Although only six tracks long, Flat Earth Rider is packed to the gills with such a bristling energy and obvious sense of fun that ensures that all leave fully satisfied. 
(4 / 5)
