Vista Chino – Peace

1. Good Morning Wasteland
2. Dargona Dragona
3. Sweet Remain
4. As You Wish
5. Planets 1&2
6. Mas Vino
7. Dark And Lovely
8. Barcelonian
9. Acidize… The Gambling Moose
10. Adara
11. Carnation (Bonus Track)
12. Sunlight At Midnight (Bonus Track)
“”” is apparently the debut album from Palm Beach rockers . I say apparently, because is actually Kyuss Lives!, who in turn are really ’90s stoner rock behemoths Kyuss. Well, Kyuss without Josh Homme anyway, who nixed the reunion and dropped a lawsuit on his former bandmates which resulted in them being unable to use their old name. It’s a strange situation for messrs John Garcia and Brant Bjork (alongside newcomer guitarist Bruno Fevery) to find themselves in, especially as “” often feels like a Kyuss album in all but name. The record effectively picks up from where “…And The Circus Leaves Town,” Kyuss’ 1995 swan song left off.”
“By way of unrelenting balls-to-the-wall riff-fest “Dargona Dragona,” the spaced-out free form jam segments of the aptly titled “Planets” and the epic “Acidize… The Gambling Moose”, unashamedly bring the hallmarks of the classic Kyuss sound to the table. The album is pure, old-school stoner; as sludgy as the Louisiana Bayou, heavy as the hammer of mighty Thor and with enough melodic flourishes to keep it away from dirge territory. Brant Bjork, evidently elated to be back behind the kit, is hitting as hard and grooving loose. In replacing Josh Homme, Bruno Fevery has some pretty big boots to fill. His playing will undoubtedly be the most scrutinized aspect of the record by the Kyuss faithful. Yet, he undertakes riffing duties with fuzz-soaked aplomb, fitting into the desert rock vibe with a seeming effortless proficiency. ‘s apparent willingness to return to Kyuss territory could have led to them treading over old ground.”
“Yet, the palpable enthusiasm, stellar playing and accomplished song craft that are present throughout the record means that “” feels as fresh today as it undoubtedly would have done if released eighteen years ago. One of the major reasons that manages to sound so vital on this latest release is the seemingly age defying vocals of John Garcia. His distinctive snarl remains as powerful as it ever was and on tracks like “Sweet Remain”, his vocal range somehow manages to soar above his efforts from Kyuss’ heyday. Part of Garcia’s gift is a vocalist is his ability to effortlessly lock into the music, and his synchronicity with Bjork, Oliveri and Fevery is apparent throughout “”. may have had to drop their former monicker before they could release “”, but the album stands as proof to the claim that their old name had made. Confident, crushing, and already classic sounding, this might just be the comeback of the year.”
All That Is Heavy, UG Team
2LP album
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