On this long-player, the band slugs it out at it’s fighting weight, taking the rudiments found in their earlier work like 2014’s “Gehenna,” 2015’s “Urinal Acid,” or 2016’s "Ashes of Man,” and picking up the pace a bit. Routinely lumped in with bands that travel in slightly more stoner-psych circles, Fox 45 hasn’t forgotten their roots as fans, not just as musicians. In fact they plunged into this
thing seven years ago with no pretense, no preening. I mean I’m pretty sure I’ve seen them play “War Pigs” a time or two.
“The Nature of Paper” kicks off with the crack of drummer Casey Learch’s whip on “Psychedelicate,” then makes a sweet segue into “Awake in the Dark,” where the guitar actually swings despite the distortion and energy. From there the band — Learch on drums, Vickie Tee on guitar and vocals, Nick Walter on guitar, and Amanda Rampe on bass and vocals — goes on a sonic journey copping to low slung tempos and grooves. It moves with bravado, balls and purpose but doesn’t detract from the hints of dark and doom. And the quintet is utterly righteous with the bread they’re making off this platter. Dig: they are splitting all profits 50/50 with their favorite venue, The Bug Jar — the magnificent club on Monroe Avenue has been closed down due to the coronavirus. Fox 45 played its first gig there in 2013 and says the next gig — whenever that may be — will be there as well. Like I said; righteous, utterly righteous. Good gotdamn record, too. Frank DeBlase, CITY Newspaper
[https://www.roccitymag.com/music/album-review-the-nature-of-paper-11915039]
"Wasteland surrounds you as your motorcycle powers through the desert. Cacti raise needle-ridged arms to the dying sunlight, moribund addicts seeking salvation from waning light. An oasis appears on the horizon, containing what your thirsty body needs: FOX 45’s Ashes of Man."
-Chicago Doom Confederacy
"These musicians ... wear their influences on their sweat-drenched sleeves like high-end fashion as nuances of Witchfinder General, Black Sabbath, L7, and much more come testifying through Fox 45‘s music like a confidential informant at a Mafioso’s trial. Low to the ground earthy rumblings in their hugely doomed riffs, direction-guided, driving rhythms and some atmospherically floating vocals, along with the occasional nods to oldschool Punk Rock ethos keep things interesting at each minute of this record."
-Metal Nexus
"FOX 45 are a four-piece all-female fronted occultish blues rock band from Rochester, which just released their debut LP on Twin Earth Records. The overriding feel is fuzzed-out, bluesy stoner doom, but the ladies call upon an array of styles as needed - jazz, rock, a touch of punk, you name it - often in the course of one song, bringing to mind Girlschool or even Wendy O Williams. They’re all very skilled in their craft, with their choice of melodies, harmonies, and rhythms of a caliber worthy of the term art rock. Ashes of Man is a noteworthy release in every respect." - Doomed & Stoned [http://doomedandstoned.com/post/144766398358/papapaul22]
"Folks no doubt expected to hear Bikini Kill and L7 — you know, Riot Grrrl stuff — and they got it. But they also got Mountain, Uriah Heap, The Cramps, and Black Sabbath. The band says it's stoner rock, but honestly that's just the tip. There's a whole lot of rock 'n' roll seeping out of Fox 45...
"Opening with an epic stoner metal grind and groove, the gals in Fox 45 are back in black with album numero dos, "Ashes of Man." Musically, it's a hard and heavy head-bang. Lyrically, it preaches a hopeless gospel that rides above the quartet's relentless, mid- tempo drive — a drive that the band is known for live, and one that when extrapolated on disc simply doesn't let up as it builds and builds until it's got you in a tight wind. It's sexy, dirty, and relatively defiant. "Ashes of Man" can't help being a little bit derivative as the band borrows liberally from the book of Sabbath and all the little demons huddled at is feet. But when Fox 45 hits the gas on cuts like "White Lightning" and "Soul Gourmandizer," the resulting energy is a welcome respite from the overall doom. Regardless, this album is powerful from front to back and a pleasure platter that gets better with each spin." Frank DeBlase, CITY Newspaper [http://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/rochester/album-review-ashes-of-man/Content?oid=2904345]
04/28/2026
Had a great time meeting Tessa and being guest DJ’s 🎧 we’ll be at skylark May 16th!
04/28/2026
