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FUCKED UP Complete Their Zodiac Cycle with “Year Of The Rooster”
FUCKED UP Close Their Zodiac Chapter
Canadian punk rock band FUCKED UP have brought their Zodiac Cycle series, which began with “Year Of The Dog” in autumn 2006, to a close with “Year Of The Rooster”. Released on November 13 via Tankcrimes, the album also serves as the final instalment of the band’s “Grass Can Move Stones” trilogy. Available as a double LP (2xLP), the release is also streaming on digital platforms.
One of the standout features of “Year Of The Rooster” is its extensive guest lineup, bringing together musicians from across different corners of the music scene. Keith Morris, known for his work with Circle Jerks and Black Flag, and Debsey Wykes, vocalist of Dolly Mixture, deliver a joint vocal performance through the characters of 1000 Year Old Monkey and 1000 Year Old Goat. John Brannon, vocalist of Negative Approach, takes on the role of Jade Monkey, the story’s malevolent character.
The guest lineup also includes Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth and Chris Hansell of WARTHOG, who portray Mr. Time and Mr. Eye, spies from the underworld. Mac Kennedy of Poison Ruin and Graeme Mackinnon of Home Front reprise their roles as Perceval and Young Prince Grin, characters connected to the previous instalment, “Year Of The Horse”. Charlie Manning Walker, known for his associations with Chubby And The Gang and The Chisel, provides the voice of General Rooster.
The story continues Monkey’s quest to discover his true identity, unfolding amid cosmic threats and existential conflicts. In this final chapter, Monkey and Good Goat encounter an army of Roosters capable of witnessing different periods in history, in a primordial universe stretching back to the dawn of creation. As the trilogy’s narrative unfolds around themes of war and discovery, humility and devotion remain central to its story.
Musically, the album draws on different periods of FUCKED UP’s career and a wide range of influences, bringing together Thin Lizzy-style guitar harmonies, vocal arrangements reminiscent of ELO and Queen, the dark atmospheres of Ulver, and thrash elements recalling Slayer’s “South Of Heaven” era. Psychedelic pop, progressive rock, sludge, ambient, free jazz and electronica also contribute to this expansive composition. The band further incorporates musical references to its albums “Hidden World” and “The Chemistry Of Common Life” into the structure of the new release.
Comprising four tracks and running for approximately two hours, “Year Of The Rooster” serves as the concluding chapter of the “Grass Can Move Stones” trilogy, bringing the curtain down on two decades of FUCKED UP’s musical output.
The 2xLP edition has been released in limited vinyl pressings. Available variants include a 200-copy Algae marble edition exclusive to Tankcrimes, a 300-copy Splattered edition, and a 500-copy Gold variant exclusive to the band. Another vinyl variant, limited to 1,000 copies, has also been announced for select retail outlets.
“Year Of The Rooster” tracklist:
Clear Is The Mirror
Havoc In Heaven
Grass Can Move Stones
Calming Winds And Waves
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