Album Review: Mystic Vulture by Cleõphüzz

Posted on March 10, 2023 by thesonicsofa

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This album review comes with bittersweet news: Cleõphüzz, the five piece desert rock band from Ville Marie, Quebec, unique for their addition of cello in the mix, have announced that they are parting ways, citing problems related to the pandemic. Lucky for us, they were able to rally their forces one last time to release Mystic Vulture, their epic final album.

Mystic Vulture is the group’s second full length, a followup to 2018’s Wizard of Phüzz. The album has everything you could wish for from a stoner rock album, from spacious sounding drums and gnarly riffs, to the huge, spaced-out sound, down to the psychedelic desert scape cover artwork by Tessa Najjar. Going back to that “huge, spaced-out sound,” it’s refreshing to note that this album really ‘breathes,’ with the band taking time to establish psychedelic auras, explore riffs, and really jam. The eight song album clocks in at 47 minutes. It was recorded and mixed by Francois Lachapelle during the pandemic and released in February.

1. THE END 2:32
2. DESERT RIDER 5:54
3. SORTILÈGE 4:15
4. DESPERADO 9:02
5. SARCOPHAGE 3:27
6. WHEN THE SIREN BLOWS 6:49
7. MYSTIC VULTURE 6:32
8. SUNDOWN IN THE AFTERLIFE 8:01

The album is mostly composed of instrumental tracks, which are given cinematic quality by the cello, notably on opener, The End, and closer Sundown in the Afterlife, which features a cool symphonic ending with some beautifully harmonic resolution. The grungy vocals come in to play on the swaggery riffer, Desert Rider. Listen for some Alice in Chains-esque harmonies on Desperado, which also features some heavy guitar progressions and a cool grindy organ.

A great album from psychedelic start to finish, Mystic Vulture can be found on Bandcamp. Digital download is available for $5. There’s no word of a physical release given the band’s current status. The band still maintains an active social media presence. Check out this interview with guitarist, Alex Savourin, for more insight into the band’s creative process, influences, as well as their disbanding. Hopefully they will reunite someday and give us a chance to hear these tracks performed live.

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Sons of Arrakis release epic debut album

Posted on August 19, 2022 by thesonicsofa

Sons of Arrakis are a four-piece stoner rock band from Montréal, Quebec. The group formed in 2019 with a strong affinity for the writings of Frank Herbert. Their name and much of their work reference Dune, the sci-fi series by Herbert. The band refers to their work as “Melange rock and cinematic sci-fi rock.” Melange refers to the hallucinogenic spice drug from Dune. For stoner rock fans who also enjoy Herbert’s work, you’re in for a real sci-fi treat, but for the casual stoner rock fan, don’t worry: You don’t have to be familiar with the book series to enjoy the music, although Sons of Arrakis may make you want to check out the books or movies.

Musically, the band delivers massive doses of seriously groovy riff rock and fantasy lyrics in the vein of bands like The Sword and Telekinetic Yeti. Volume 1, the band’s debut record, was released in July. It’s both epic and brisk, clocking in at a cool 30 minutes with eight tracks. In the past, my friend Nashville Eric and I judged good albums, such as Led Zeppelin III, on their ability to leave you wanting more. Sons’ Volume 1 will leave you wanting more and looking forward to Volume 2.

1. Shai-Hulud 1:33
2. The Black Mirror 3:43
3. Complete Obliteration 4:01
4. Temple of the Desert 4:26
5. Omniscient Messiah 4:12
6. Lonesome Preacher 5:13
7. Abomination 4:37
8. Shai-Hulud (Sequel) 2:19

Frédéric Couture’s vocals are dynamic and high flying, delivered in his own unique style, with catchy melodies. The Black Mirror gives a good example of Couture’s high register. He also executes some nice harmonies, even evoking some Alice in Chains vibes on Complete Obliteration. Lyrically, the album discusses some hefty themes such as philosophy, warfare, religion, and systematic subjugation, all with that subtle Frank Herbert influence. Many of the tracks, such as Shai Hulud, Abomination, Omniscient Messiah, and Lonesome Preacher also reference characters in the Duniverse. Lyrics here.

*Alexandre Goulet’s sci-fi graphic design adds authenticity and feel to the band’s mystique*

Francis Duchesne on lead guitars along with Couture on rhythm guitars establish an absolutely fuzzy juggernaut of chuggy, progressive riffs with strong heavy blues vibes. They set the heavy bluesy mood on instrumental opener, Shai Hulud, which is also continued on the album closer, Shai Hulud Sequel. There are also awesome dual guitar leads throughout. Listen to Temple of the Desert, Abomination, and Complete Obliteration for some prime dual guitar leads. Complete Obliteration and Omniscient Messiah also feature blazing guitar solos.

Mathieu Racine’s drum sound is groovy and in the pocket. From the very start, the drummer sets the standard for the album with some heavy blues style. Check out Temple of the Desert for an awesome bluesy shuffle pattern. He’s got chops too. Listen to the start and finish of Abomination for some technical and fast drumming, in the vein of Trivett Wingo of The Sword fame. On bass, Vick Trigger is the perfect rhythmic counterpart, delivering track after track of deep grooves, perfectly in sync with Racine’s drum patterns. Get lost in the deep groove of tracks like Omniscient Messiah and Abomination, where the powerhouse pair deliver tasty change-ups and progressive jams.

Official music video for Omniscient Messiah, directed by Arturo Baston. Monster modeled and animated by Albert Calle Joamat

Volume 1 is available for digital download on Bandcamp for Name Your Price! Vinyl is available for $30 and CDs for just over $10. The band’s graphic artist, Alexandre Goulet, did an awesome job of creating Dune-influenced art for the band, and the band has a poster and t-shirts featuring many of the spacy designs on their merch page. An interview and live acoustic recording of the band was recently featured on a podcast by The Stoner Rock Army‘s The General, Eric Varasifsky. Also, check out Distorted Sound Magazine’s article, which goes in depth (SPOILERS) regarding the band’s direct Dune references.

Electric Mountain release high voltage desert rock album, Valley Giant

Posted on June 1, 2022 by thesonicsofa

*Valley Giant was released on May 27, 2022*

The week, The Sonic Sofa travels to Mexico City for desert rock band Electric Mountain’s second full length release. The power trio burst onto the scene in 2013 with their classic rock influenced stoner rock sound, infused with plenty of high octane desert riffs. They put on a loud, headbanging show and have shared stages with Elder and Blackwater Holylight. Electric Mountain released their Self-Titled debut album in 2017. After a two-year hiatus, they’re back with their sophomore full length, Valley Giant, and it is well worth the wait.

Valley Giant was released in May on Electric Valley Records. It features beautiful extraterrestrial landscape art by Adam Burke of Nightjar Illustration. The album is nine tracks, clocking in at 46 minutes, though some streaming platforms include a tenth track, The Man. Throughout the record, the musicians blend a riffy blend of desert rock guitars and melodic vocals with a growly, driving rhythm section. What makes the album awesome are all of the extended, stoner rock turnarounds and classic rock breaks. It opens with short, heavy-blues intro, The Great Hall, and is a non-stop action ride until the lengthy and spacy closer, A Thousand Miles High. Filled with headbangers from start to finish, the album only slows down for a slight breather on the acoustic, At Last Everything, which also features some tasty vocal harmonies and hand percussion.

1. The Great Hall (Intro) 2:38
2. Outlanders 3:53
3. Morning Grace 5:14
4. Void 4:09
5. A Fistful of Grass 6:32
6. Desert Ride 5:00
7. Vulgar Planet 5:09
8. At Last Everything 4:31
9. A Thousand Miles High 8:41

Guitarist/vocalist Gibran Pérez pumps out the jams with fuzzy, heavy-blues riffs, and scorching solos infused with plenty of wah-pedal and phaser, and caps it off with clean, melodic vocals, that I felt like were reminiscent of early Sabbath, and possibly even Corrosion of Conformity. Drummer Max Cabrera keeps things solid and driving with some absolute balls to the walls drum beats and fills. Listen to the end of Outlanders for some Bonham-esque fills, and check out Desert Ride for some driving, desert rock drum-power. Jorge Trejo’s bass tone really stands out on the album, with a beefy tone, often spaced out with heavy wah-pedal action. Check out Morning Grace for a fat, fuzzed out bass tone, and listen for some compelling leads during on A Thousand Miles High.

You can find Valley Giant on Bandcamp. The digital album can be downloaded for $7. It is also available on CD for $7.50 as well as beautiful transparent purple or plain black vinyl for $23. Check out Electric Mountain’s social media for news and announcements.