Review: Borracho ‘Ouroboros’
Borracho, the veteran, Washington DC based, riff and fuzz power trio, return in prompt fashion with Ouroboros, their first output for their new label Ripple Music. Released almost exactly two years after 2023’s Blurring The Lines Of Reality, which was preceded by 2021’s Pound Of Flesh, also released almost exactly two years prior.
I’m not sure if it is a coincidence, creative restlessness, or sheer prolificacy, but the fact that all three of these records were released within four years is noteworthy. The additional detail that they came out just weeks apart in the month of August is perhaps a curiosity only someone like myself would be intrigued by.
Nonetheless, guitarist/vocalist Steve Fisher, bassist Tim Martin and drummer Mario Trubiano present an addictive, no-nonsense, riff-centric, fuzzed-out approach featuring plenty of low-end groove. Bolstered by Fisher’s intelligent, politically charged lyrics that speak to this fucked up timeline we all are experiencing, with Borracho collectively witnessing current events through a very specific lens being based in DC.
Ouroboros opens with the first single, Vegas Baby, which is both an ode to and a warning about Sin City and its many trappings. Not surprisingly, it fucking rocks, and immediately highlights Fisher’s uncanny riffing and tone, to say nothing of the wallop that Martin and Trubiano provide. Succubus, a female demon who visits unsuspecting men at night, is the third single from Ouroboros. A crushing, push-and-pull monster that sees Borracho balancing the massive riffage, with multiple movements, plenty of trippy, dark energy, and some of Fisher’s catchier vocals in the chorus.
addictive, no-nonsense, riff-centric, fuzzed-out approach featuring plenty of low-end groove…
The band’s earth-shaking rhythm section slowly brings Lord Of Suffering to life before unfolding into a driving riff and groove colossus which also boasts some gang-shout vocals from both Fisher and Martin for extra emphasis. The sheer number of riffs and winding rhythms unleashed throughout the track is all at once dizzying and jaw-dropping.
We get an ever-so-slight reprieve from Borracho’s riff and rhythm assault with the trippy instrumental Vale Of Tears, wherein they drop into full-on Sabbath psychedelic mode, with plenty of spacey guitar noodling and bolstered by Martin and Trombino’s next-level swing. Machine Is The Master showcases their signature blend of heavy riffs and hypnotic groove, before the penultimate Freakshow restores the riff and rumble, complete with some awesome lead work and another catchy, shout‑along chorus.
The album closes with the epic Broken Man. I can only guess who a DC band could be referring to in the title, but it’s a massive, fuzzed-out monolith with plenty of tasteful rhythmic pounding, some awesome, well-placed organ flourishes and a seemingly endless arsenal of riffs and lead work.
Ouroboros plays out like a straightforward stoner rock record rather than the more psychedelic, ethereal vibes experienced on its predecessor, and it’s an approach this band excels at. It also sounds, not surprisingly, absolutely stellar from start to finish, and was once again produced by Borracho’s longtime knob-twister Frank ‘The Punisher’ Marchland and mastered by Wo Fat’s Kent Stump.
There are not many bands out there that wield the riffs and fuzz like Borracho, Fu Manchu for sure, but the list is small, and the trio simply do not fuck around when it comes to crafting high-quality, next-level, heavy, stoner rock. They are among the very best at their craft, and they have proved it yet again. I am confident that like their previous two releases, Ouroboros will find itself on my year end best of list.
Label: Ripple Music
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Martin Williams
