Fidel A Go Go – Diss Engaged

by Mark 'Yeti' Richard · Published February 17, 2025 · Updated February 19, 2025

Fidel A Go Go is a heavy down-tuned riff rock band from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. They incorporate elements of progressive, grunge, and stoner rock, which gives the band a varied range of sounds. They formed in 2019 and is made of seasoned musicians, including Duncan Beale on guitar and vocals, Nigel Bishop on guitars, Simon Pamplin on bass and Toby Aitken on drums. They have released two albums, 2022’s Mod Cons, and their latest, 2025’s Diss Engaged. Diss Engaged features eleven tracks at thirty six minutes and was released on January 25th 2025, on Bebap Records.

“Sandstorm” opens up the album with a ripper! The song starts off with sounds of wind that escalate into a nice rocking guitar riff. The sound has a classic rock essence, especially the guitars but then pulverizes into a groove of electrifying stoner rock with excellent vocals. The guitar harmonies are decorative and the curtailed picking sound almost off or displaced but it connects adherently. “Ride In The Rain” also has some shredding guitar panning happening from ear to ear. Duncan’s voice reminds me of classic Alice In Chains or something from the grunge era and really elevates these songs with his vocal melodies. The music is heavy and crunchy with excellent sound production.

“Prelude In The Key Of Shit” is a forty two second sampled introduction for the fourth track “Lil Shit”. “Lil Shit” reminds me of nineties style grunge with a surge of electricity powering the song. “Fueled Up” is a riotous amplified rocker that plows into the weekend with a raging attitude. Charged up and ready to go and a “take no shit” attitude is what this song evokes. The music has a up-tempo battery of rocking riffs and the smooth vocals corrals everything in the right place. The sixth track “Push” incorporates more soothing vocals and sounds in the beginning. More intricate and attenuated guitar picking enhancements are added and the band cultivate some prog rock glory into the mix also. The song showcases Fidel A Go Go’s musical talents and dynamics fully. Bouncing from softer tones to more complex artistic movements, the band dazzles sonically throughout the track.

“Rainy Daze” is a slow and somber acoustic blues song that only lasts a minute and a half. It could almost be an interlude because of its soft middle bridge point. “Running With Secrets” is also a short number but brings back the fuzz and driving rhythms in full rock fashion. “Barely An Adversary” connects back with the math rock intricacies but has an infectious groove unfolding all around it. The band has a powerful and zestful magnetism with their ability to dial in the riffs in such an elaborate manner. The tenth track is another softer cut utilizing clean guitars and beautiful harmonized vocals. The mellow execution of “Psychedelicexistentialcrisisalidocious” has a charming appeal to this recording.

Finally, the last song on Diss Engaged is called “A Stench Of Musk”. It’s another upbeat slam dunk of glorious stoner riffing wrapped in a progressive blanket of rhythms. Soaring vocals displaying catchy choruses in rhapsodizing magnitude. The lyrics are pretty remarkable too, this one depicting a certain billionaire’s greed and arrogance. I am pretty blown away with how excellent this band and album is. The name Fidel A Go Go definitely threw me off but once I started listening to the music, I was completely sold. If this band was given the right push and exposure then I believe they could be a top tier group within the heavy riff rock/ stoner universe.