Fuzz From The Crypt - THE SMOGGERS
- johnaalex
- Oct 4
- 5 min read
Fuzz From The Crypt
THE SMOGGERS
Released 12th september 2025
Record Label: Chaputa! Records
Reviewed: 29th Sept 2025
Spanish Garage Rockers release their 10th album in 18 years. Fuzz From The Crypt brings you 12 original tracks and 1 absolute garage classic. The cover art is really cool, designed by Rui Ricardo and illustrates exactly what this album is all about.
Band Members:
Fernando Jiménez: Guitar, lead vocals and harmonica.
Ana González: Keyboard and vocals.
Antonio León: Guitar and vocals.
Óscar Valero: Bass.
David Martín: Drums.
TRACK 1: TONIGHT: Fuzz From The Crypt opens with everything you would hope for, heavy fuzz guitar, 4 chord main riff, backing vocals and of course the distinctive (Hammond) organ sound. This is a powerful first track, straight forward in its structure and delivered with style befitting the genre. Watch out for the harmonica solo mid-way through.
TRACK 2: PLEASE NEVER CHANGE: If you expect track 2 to slow things down a bit, you’re going to be disappointed. PLEASE NEVER CHANGE is a brilliant garage punk rock composition with a simple and yet so effect 4 note riff running all the way through it. It is full-on from start to finish
with Fernando’s vocals passionately capturing the essence of the song. I love the guitar solo, it is so simple and yet so very effective, it fits in brilliantly. What a song.
TRACK 3: STRYCHNINE: I saw this on the track listing and being one of my favourite songs I was very interested to hear how The Smoggers approached it. The structure is the same as The Sonics but The Smoggers put their own stamp on this classic and they do it really well. The original had piano and sax, but this version relaces these with keyboard (organ), backing vocals and a whole lotta fuzz. The mix is just right and brings this classic up into the 21st century but still retaining the classic 60s feel. this is a great version of a great song.
TRACK 4: BECAUSE I LOVE YOU: This track starts with vocals and single guitar chords and you could be fooled into thinking it is going to be gentle love ballad……at 20 seconds the song explodes into life with Fernando’s powerful voice backed by a catchy 4 chord riff delivered by the keys, and guitars. Although not strictly a ballad this is brash punchy love song delivered garage style.
TRACK 5: WHO AM I?: Who am I feels quite different to the first 4 songs. It has a characteristically garage feel but the tempo is lowered and the minor key riff gives an almost eerie feel to the song. The lyrics are delivered with powerful expression that makes you feel the angst of the song subject.
TRACK 6: HANG UP: The keys riff on HANG UP is excellent and drives the song from the very start. This song has a laid back swagger that carries on throughout and you will be hard pushed to not move to the almost hypnotic groove. I love this song and played it over and over several times after my first listen. Enjoy.
TRACK 7: LEAVE YOUR MIND: I wondered where the harmonica had gone, the good news is that it is back in LEAVE YOUR MIND. This has an interesting off beat rhythm to the verse which is really catchy and has a very slight similarity to the rhythm of the riff in AC/DC classic TNT. This is absolutely not Heavy Rock though and The Smoggers don’t overcomplicate the mix and maintain their 60s garage sound to create an impressive original track.
TRACK 8: OUT OF TYME: The drumming is worth focusing on in OUT OF TYME as it is really unusual but very effective (perhaps a play on the title????). The guitar in the verse is also worth a listen as it responds to the vocals with a staggered fuzz laden riff which again works really well. There are some very subtle but effective backing vocals throughout the song and it is clear The Smoggers are not afraid to try different approaches whilst still staying true to their genre.
TRACK 9: YOU CAN LISTEN: Although the song starts with a catchy guitar riff, the keys dominate in YOU CAN LISTEN creating that typical 60s sound that lovers of Garage and Trash crave. The harmonica provides the solo which although understated is absolutely appropriate for the feel of this song.
TRACK 10: SHE’S WICKED: The start of SHE’S WICKED really builds up (watch out for the cowbell) and creates a level of anticipation about where it is leading . When the main riff comes in you will not be disappointed. This is a really catchy upbeat composition with a really catchy chorus which you will find yourself singing for the rest of the evening….trust me! This is my favourite track on the album and it might very well be yours too.
TRACK 11: WOMAN TRY: Although other songs on the record have had some backing vocals WOMAN TRY is the first to use quite dominant backing vocals and it is very effective. There is an interesting break in the middle which again is not expected but works really well and demonstrates the band’s versatility and willingness to expand their sound within the genre. I cannot be certain but I am pretty sure I even heard castanets which personally I think is a subtle yet brilliant touch from the Spanish Garage Rockers.
TRACK 12: YOU’LL NEVER COME BACK: This is a slightly slower track with a picked guitar riff running through the verse and a background fuzz guitar track. The song moves between Dark and Light with the tempo appearing raised when we reach the chorus. The chorus by the way is another catchy one and helps create a very original sounding song with a very garage feel.
TRACK 13: LET ME KNOW: ‘TONIGHT’ got this album off to a great start and putting ‘LET ME KNOW’ at the end provides the perfect track to lower the curtain to. This is 60s trash at its best and what you would expect from these seasoned Garage Rockers. The Smoggers deliver this 12 bar original with the passion and drive that it deserves and the finished product is the perfect way to sign off album number 10.
SUMMARY: This is 60s Garage Rock delivered true to the genre. The Smoggers push the boundaries here and there and they do it very well but it does not deviate away from the roots of their overall sound. The Smoggers write great songs and they deliver them an authentic way whilst also providing enough variation to maintain the interest for those who are not necessarily Garage Rock Aficionados. This is a well planned and brilliantly delivered album.
RECOMMENDATION: Fans of Trash and 60s Garage will enjoy this album without a doubt. For those who are not as familiar to the genre this album is a great introduction to a great Rock’n’Roll sound, the roots of which you will find in many past and current songs. I really enjoyed listening to ‘FUZZ FROM THE CRYPT’ and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves their Rock’n’Roll with powerful vocals, plenty of Hammond Organ and a whole lotta fuzz.
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Reviewed by: Cal Ross
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