Fu Manchu, those California dudes who’ve been setting the stoner rock and fuzz rock vibe since the ‘90s, know how to make a sound that rolls like an old truck through the desert. Their set on June 22, 2019, at Hellfest in Clisson, France, was all about that heavy yet chill groove. Scott Hill sang with gritty energy, his voice flipping from fierce to laid-back, like the engine of the show. Guitars and bass from Bob Balch and Brad Davis built fat riffs, while Scott Reeder’s drums laid down a rhythm that hit you in the bones. The open stage’s acoustics made the sound massive, and the lights, shifting from orange to blue, played up the mood swings. The crowd swayed, like they were hypnotized, totally pulled into this rock ‘n’ roll flow.