There’s a specific style of rock that has always captured my imagination with its fuzzy riff and terrific approach to psychedelia without going too far into the trippy domain. Yet, it’s always been a slippery style for me to get a hold of because it has to have the proper levels of psychedelia, riffs, adventure, and musical prowess to really work its way into my heart. The last great band I heard akin to space rock was Howling Giant, and after doing some digging I came across Void Cruiser who easily hits the nail right on the head.

With such a relatively dark and ominous cover art, I never would’ve guessed that Void Cruiser had the makings of a talented space rock band before I decided to take a chance and investigate their latest album, “Wayfarer”. I didn’t expect much but whenever an album on Bandcamp has a fuck ton of people who’ve bought it, the material in question tends to be quite good more times than not and this time is luckily no different as Void Cruiser has made quite the marvel with this record. While the whole of “Wayfarer” isn’t meant to be one super long song chopped up into seven pieces to make it more approachable, the experience overall flows like water as each track goes right into the next as if from chapter to chapter in the tale that Void Cruiser is making for us. As chance would have it, there is a tale within “Wayfarer” to be had and without any spoilers from me, I do have to say it’s compelling from start to finish and proof of the prowess that Void Cruiser has only just begun to unleash. Narrated by a dissonant set of vocals that go perfectly with the fuzz tinged guitars and bass beside the rhythmic drums that go at an always perfect pace, “Wayfarer” is a record that will easily work its way into the hearts of many stoner rock fans as well as space rock and maybe even those into doom rock.

The album is a wide swathe of influences that come together terrifically well, and it’s because of that “Wayfarer” will continue to increase as one of the sleeper hits of this year. I’ve heard the name of Void Cruiser whispered over the past few months, and I’m glad that I finally got the will to investigate and now that I have I can;t help but compel you to seek this record out, for if you do you’ll be in for a truly delicious sample of space rock done right.

LISTEN to “Wayfarer” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Void Cruiser on Facebook here.