Review Summary: Ruby the Hatchet at their heavy psych best
Despite five years passing since Ruby the Hatchet’s last album, 2017’s Planetary Space Child, they haven’t lost their momentum with their fourth installment. Even in terms of literal momentum, Fear is a Cruel Master features some of the group’s most upbeat songs set to their heaviest performances thus far. The guitars and keys are more aggressive, the rhythms are driving, and the vocals inject some playfulness into the hazy delivery. Their seventies-tinged heavy psych hasn’t lost any semblance of identity but rather given new aspects to explore.
This approach works incredibly well in giving the album a breezy pace while still allowing the atmosphere to flourish. “The Change,” “Soothsayer,” and “Thruster” showcase faster tempos and swirling effects in perfect synergy, channeling early Judas Priest mixed with Pink Floyd’s more in your face moments. I must admit “Deceiver” borders on being a little too clunky, especially for being the second song, but it still manages to put in a tight hook. The closing “Amor Gravis” hits even harder with an especially heavier crunch.
It's also nice to see the band reach back to the slower psychedelia seen on past albums. “Primitive Man” would’ve fit right in on Planetary Space Child, largely driven by a mid-tempo swagger groove in the vein of “Killer” with a little extra pep. “1000 Years” and “Last Saga” provide outlets for more somber textures with their subdued blues shuffles, extra keyboard flourishes, and gorgeous vocal harmonies. It’s especially cool to see drummer Owen Stuart providing the bulk of lead vocals on the latter.
Pulling no punches, Fear is a Cruel Master just might be Ruby the Hatchet’s strongest album to date. While their evolution hasn’t changed too drastically with time, the way they push into certain aspects of their heavy psych sound does well in keeping it fresh; this album in particular offers their most energetic performances. The songwriting also nicely balances catchiness and variety overseen by a perfectly paced runtime. Ruby the Hatchet was already one of my personal favorites among their peers and Fear is a Cruel Master shows them as among the best.
