The circumstances were such that I had to consume a significant quantity of Vicodin lately. Some portions of the body being bruised and battered, while the mind was flying “high”, I was not in the mood for the usual extreme metal smorgasbord instead thinking that something bearing the “stoner” label would fit the state of mind much better. Somewhere at the bottom of the pile there was one little CD which I recalled sounded “stoner rock” when I had a chance to peruse the first track In the Night long time ago. That CD was Mustasch Latest Version of the Truth, and, man, did it hit the spot this time. As they say, for every mood there is a music …

If your criterion of good heavy music is not speed, Hall of Fame vocals or dazzling neoclassical musicianship, but instead you bow to the power of the almighty riff, discover Mustasch, as these Swedes are kneeling at the same altar. Just about every track on Latest Version of the Truth has chunky, skeletal, driving riffs as their foundation. These range from classical metal to slightly doomy tinged a la Grand Magus, with some good Southern and Motorhead grimy flair slathered on top, but whatever direction they come from Mustasch riffs never lack catchiness. This is the music ruled by the creature ruled Colossal Groove. Sure enough, there is foggy, fuzz-induced, drug-happy stoner plod here, as in on Falling Down and Spreading the Worst, but Latest Version of the Truth is far away from Sahg and Witchcraft Sabbath worship with driving rockers like In the Night, Forever Begins Today and I Am Not Aggressive.

Drummer Mats Dojan Hansson and bass player Mats Stam Johansson lock in tight to create the record’s gripping rhythm section, laying down steadying, guiding, but at the same time percussive and jumpy, when needed, foundation. The End, otherwise an album retrospect medley, even has them throwing some Spanish Marrakech influence. Vocalist/guitarist Ralf Gyllenhammar is strictly mid-range, never even trying the unfitting high note, his throat being a lot more scratch than velvet. But when needed, he can belt and cajole them out too, as in the convict song Spreading the Worst or, his fists firmly clenched, over the punishing memorable melodic hook in Bring Me Everyone. Main songwriter Hannes Hansson even had inkling to include some orchestral tilt on the album, throwing in a little ABBA in the equation. While the results are a little spiffy and questionable on video hit Double Nature and Weather Channel instrumental Scyphozoa, Forever Begins Today shows off some of the best rock/orchestra blend with superb ending solo and growling orchestral wind section.

In no way I am advocating the use of drugs for the youth, but Mustasch has first clicked with me when I was “under the influence”. Some albums/bands don’t bear the stoner sticker for nothing after all. Yet once the initial painkiller-high connection took place I have been spinning the disc on and off for a week or two enjoying the heck out of it.