This Summit Fever – This Summit Fever

One Listen Review

1st Listen 2 Apr 25
Reviewed 5 Apr 25

This Summit Fever – This Summit Fever

Majestic Mountain Records

Released 4 Apr 25

Originally starting as a lockdown project, This Summit Fever was the brainchild of Andy Blackburn before he was joined by is friend, Jim McSorley on drums. This is the eponymous debut album and it is massively fuzz-driven stoner effort.

What is really interesting is that the duo made the conscious decision to make this a minimalist album, stripping back what they call the ‘excess production’. This, according to Blackburn, has allowed them to focus on riffs, melodies and arrangements within the tracks. A brave move, but is it foolhardy? The short answer is no. This Summit Fever comes in at under 30 minutes and each of the 8 tracks are focussed and, for the most part, hit the spot. Opening track, ‘Breathe You In’ is festering in Fu Manchu style fuzzy riffs with Blackburn providing a soothing vocal.

This promising start is compounded by the 2^nd track, ‘Currents’. With a captivating melodic nature, the vocals enhance the overall track and it is perhaps the best track on the album.

So far, so good. But, aside from the fuzzy tone, what makes this a ‘stoner’ release?

‘Hooks’, that’s what. The 3^rd track has a big intro riff and is the first truly catchy track on the album. It is the festering puss in the boil, it is the track we want to hear and it is a genuine stoner-rock song. Alas, it is here that the album’s zenith ends, as it then begins to level off. My notes start to use the words, ‘solid’ and ‘similar’ as I listen to the rest of the album.

The good news is that when your notes for ‘Party to Blame’ say, ‘more fuzz, more riffs, similar stuff’, it is not a criticism. This Summit Feveris full of riffs. Riffs are good, riffs get the head nodding and the groove going, and so ‘more riffs’ is always a positive thing.

The downside is that, although this is a decent listen, other bands do it better. Stripping down potentially bloated production is also a good thing, however perhaps it can be stripped too much for some tastes. This is always a personal opinion, as the nature of the production will be liquid gold to some, and lead to others.

The good news is that the tracks are still enjoyable and you will have a good time. Check it out.