RÜCKWATER are a stoner rock trio band from TAMPERE, FINLAND who have been together since 2010, they have certainly made the most of their time working out what sort of band they are and well those few years were obviously worth it. The band is led by MAKE MAKKONEN who is on vocals as well as lead guitar, setting an example for fellow bandmate, JUSSI VEHMAN as he is on vocals as well as bass guitar giving the tone or warmth to the band, then the third member the heartbeat of the band, so to speak, is drummer JAPE MAKKONEN creating some creative drum patterns. So after some time with lots of gigging in underground venues and clubs, there was more waiting for the trio to release their debut release in the form of an EP titled BONEHEAD launched in 2017. With this release, it was said about the band that the EP has “powerful melodies, poignant lyrics, and dynamic instrumentation, resonated with audiences, earning Rückwater critical acclaim and a growing international fanbase”. So we know this band mixes elements of stoner rock, heavy metal and alternative rock also, so the EP certainly gave a great picture of what this band is all about, very much on the money this band is with such diverse if not eclectic taste in music. So onwards from this release, the band continued on from where they left off in the form of their debut full length album which was titled SUPERNOVA which was released in 2020 only three years after their EP.

This debut album really pushes the band to their very best, it is full of high quality rock ‘n’ roll with pristine and charismatic, each individual track has that touch of class as well as style. So after this where could the band go from here, they certainly reached for the sky in putting together a great album, but onwards they went on to writing and recording what would be their second outing as a band, their sophomore album titled BORED MACHINE. This was released in Autumn 2024, so this gives me the opportunity to look into this album more starting with “N.O.T.S.Y.” which introduces the album with distorted guitars, cymbal hits and then a run straight into a verse as vocals come in to show what they can do. This track definitely has a grunge and stoner rock feel, the drums and guitars make sure of this as the track progresses as the guitars guide the narrative with vocals pouring their soul all over. An instrumental section is heard with guitars and drums steering this as vocals shout aloud, with some killer guitar riffs as well as drum patterns, it’s a great start to the album. “Birthday Boy” comes next as bashing drums is how it starts, before a cool drum pattern cuts through with vocals following along with bass guitar having the share of the spotlight, as the energy of the band becomes more consistent. A short break later on in the track, but vocals are in quietly with drums and guitar making a buildup becoming louder and louder as it hits the roof before returning back down to a more steady pace.

“No More Air” opens with melodic guitar so something different for a change, but a count in by the drummer, then launches the band into a rocket fueled burst of heavy rock so noisy as we hear more distorted guitars. Once the vocals come in it’s a little calmer, the depth of the vocals are warm and executed so well, they build a gradual crescendo now from one section to another, as drums contribute to this too. The contrast here is so different, as the melodic guitar comes back later on in the track, as this melody continues on with drums and bass guitar supporting. A climax was reached from another crescendo, as vocals marked the change into the next track which is “Home Economicus”. The fourth track on this album opens with very rhythmic guitar riff playing, drums and bass guitar also join in afterwards, as the drums do have an upbeat pattern they are playing as vocals join after this. Vocals are quiet in volume and have depth in tone so they are not overpowering the other instrument, they do rise and take the lead in the next section but pull back when the verse is in and commits full when the chorus is in. Lead guitar also has some cool note picking in the chorus section too, the grinding guitars and vocal leaps in pitch, as well as screamer notes are very well executed. An instrumental section does come after this, with some cool and melodic guitar playing, as the volume goes up a lot, then a final scream as we head into the next track which is “Follow The Money”.

This track is opened with acoustic guitar and soft vocals, so a very different intro in comparison to the previous tracks, but certainly creates a bit of variety. Drums then build up quickly and when they go into the mix, the track still very much an acoustic style then backing vocals can be heard muttering the title of this track, as the band gets down and heavier. There are some cymbal hits and articulation along this section as the guitars and drums go hand in hand for sure, the volume and tempo are kept to a limit which is fantastic, lead guitar has more stylistic solo playing. “Look At The Sky” is next as we hear bass guitar bringing this track in first, we don't often hear bass guitar, so it’s great that a track has a different instrument opening up the track. Drums are in but soft and slow with no rushing at all, lead guitar sweeps in and out with ringing tones, vocals are in with two distinct and contrasting vocal parts before an implosion of the whole band ramping up the volume to full volume. A straightforward rhythm for drums and guitar like a post chorus, then the lead guitar and drums pull back once more for a short time then a quick crescendo into the full stoner and grunge rock tone we have been hearing throughout the album. The track slows down a little, lead guitar goes into a loop melody and drums build a heavier solo rock sound around, then the band pull back, so the dynamics are such a strong point for this band.

A gradual build up after has lead guitar producing killer solo playing, as drums also set the benchmark before we go into the next track. “Blue Lake Escape” as we hear cymbal hits, guitar riffs picked quickly and vocals joining in to open the track. Faster drum fills with guitar sliding along with tasty riff playing, as the main section is where all instruments are in action, vocals turn up the volume when they feel it is time. A bridge section where the drummer is counting along on the kick and hitting the cymbal, vocals lurking around as lead guitar is picking notes subtly before the amplified effects build a crescendo. Then a run for the hills where drums and lead guitar lead the charge as we head into the final track which is “Waiting For The Ride”. The last track as lead guitar picks notes, as vocals sing in a high pitch and drummer counts in on the cymbals again before the noise rises with lead guitar as the example to follow, then drums pull back as they begin to play some clever patterns coinciding with lead guitar riffs. Vocals are wild as before, they are singing mid range as lead guitar then plays a superb thrash injected part where the drummer chokes the crash cymbal to mark those guitar notes before the final ascension of all instruments in full speed mode. Then drums plays some soloistic patterns and lays out the pace for lead guitar and vocals to follow along, vocals go into a loop as drums set the tempo at a good pace as we hear the final section.

As the lead guitar is pumped full of reverb, distortion and high volume, it does come to a halt, as it rings out, the drums supports so well and also comes into the spotlight for so much solo playing with drum and cymbal hits where it fits musically as well as in terms of the tonality of the track. So that brings an end to the album, as we hear drums but the volume is gradually brought down further and there we have it, a great album for sure, the experimentation of lead guitar as well as drums particularly as the stoner rock influence was very clear. But the heavy rock and metal elements were also present in the mix on one or two tracks, overall a very well arranged and orchestrated album, so who knows what the band will do next, follow them and find out.