Today, we head to Tijuana to check out the self-titled debut album from The Fire Mystical. The music they have brought forth will resonate with fans of several genres that fall under the stoner and psych umbrellas.
About The Fire Mystical
The Fire Mystical describes themselves on their Bandcamp page with the following …
“Between the desert and the sea stands the ferocious city of Tijuana, this is the land of fire, within the city’s turmoil, The Fire Mystical seeks comfort in blazing riffs and mystical storytelling.”
The nine songs on their self-titled debut blend stoner rock, blues, heavy psych, indie rock, grunge, and more, with the skill required to make engaging, entertaining jams that music fans can easily latch onto.
The Songs
1. Evilmorphosis
This track kicks us off with a fat-sounding riff that quickly morphs into a massive, fuzzed-out guitar part that serves as part of the verse riff. The enormous sound that this produced grabbed my attention, and you may find yourself doing the same once the band adds an expressive vocal approach. The lead section has some beautiful heavy psych elements and sounds like a phaser or wah pedal for added flavor.
2. Dragon Cyclone
I love that “Dragon Cyclone” begins with a chill desert-psych atmosphere, almost directly contrasting with the tone of “Evilmorphosis.” The vocals are a perfect fit, matching that relaxed vibe while still coming across with some power. As with the beginning song, the lead section is very psychedelic and is my favorite part of the song. The bass and drums are fantastic, particularly the bass line, as it holds down the groove while playing an interesting and skillful part.
3. Dead Flowers
“Dead Flowers” is psychedelic, but it also incorporates a progressive undertone and some stoner rock riffs and exudes a laid-back feel that stoners will love. The vocal melody in the chorus is catchy, if not a little hypnotic, due to its style and approach, a fact that helps make the song even more enjoyable.
4. Already Gone
This song was the first one where I noticed the tiniest bit of Johnny Cash in the vocals, so tiny that many may not even notice it. It also has a different musical approach, as it isn’t like the first three songs, but it still fits into this batch of songs nicely. I mostly hear desert rock in the first half; then it checks in with a dash of atmospheric psych before returning to the chorus. The Fire Mystical ends things off with a tasty blues-influenced lead that transitions into a spidery outro riff.
5. Five And Ten
I’m one of those guys who digs the bluesy elements of the psychedelic genres, exactly where The Fire Mystical takes us on “Five And Ten.” You could call this song heavy blues-psych, as it perfectly describes what you’ll hear across this entire track.
6. Can’t Find My Way
This song doesn’t quite hit the three-minute mark and is more than a little repetitive. The music has a solid groove, but the vocals repeat the song title ad nauseam, making for a tedious listening experience and what is the weakest of these nine songs.
7. I Believe
“I Believe” are two words you’ll hear a lot during the verses, but unlike “Can’t Find My Way,” it makes sense within the song’s context. The groove is vital, as are the guitar riffs and the overall tone of the bass, though things head into a heavy psych realm about halfway through. This half of the song will appeal to people who use the word “Weedian” when describing music or bands; it’s heavy and heady in all right ways.
8. & 9. Travectio Part 1/Travectio Part 2
If you’re like me, you have never seen the word “travectio” until now. It turns out this word is Latin for “crossing” or “procession.” “Travectio Part I” is just over five minutes of instrumental heavy psych and stoner, serving as an intro to the more than eight minutes that make up Part 2.
Part 2 opens up with a melancholy feel, utilizing beautifully placed cymbal work and psychedelic overtones. The Fire Mystical builds the listener’s anticipation with purpose and conviction; the power and intensity slowly increase while spacey sounds become more common. That’s just the song’s first half before it goes into a lead guitar section that rides the delicate balance with subdued yet skillful playing. These last two tracks are more or less one song, just broken up to make them more palatable to listeners.
Final Thoughts
The Fire Mystical is a very talented band; this album is a testament to that. While I may not have enjoyed every track, the record is enjoyable and entertaining. So head over to Bandcamp, give them your time, and support them with a purchase. It’s currently listed as Name Your Price, too, so it won’t break your bank account by doing so. Enjoy!
Support The Fire Mystical by finding them on Bandcamp or social media (Instagram).
This review was written by Tom Hanno, who has been writing reviews for the last 7 years but has been sharing his love of music for the majority of his life. Originally starting out at the now-defunct Chimera Magazine, he is currently contributing to Doomed and Stoned, The Sleeping Shaman, The Doom Charts, Tom’s Reviews, and The Third Eye. Read more of Tom’s reviews by checking out his Linktree.
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