Kyuss

A bunch of metal-worshiping whippersnappers from the California desert, Kyuss (rhymes with "pious") came along just as the hair bands of the '80s were breathing their last and helped inject a much-needed new spirit into hard rock, melding the weighty riffage of classic metal with the high energy of its speedier spawn. And when guitarist and future Queens of the Stone Age leader Josh Homme decided to detune his axe a whole step and beyond, he set a wave in motion that has yet to break. Just think of all the new-metalers -- from Korn to Slipknot -- who indulge in the crunchy delights of the way, way low end; fact is, they all owe something to Kyuss.

Wretch shows that the band had the requisite pieces in place early on, though not necessarily in the right order. The faster songs are too obviously indebted to Metallica, Danzig, and several others. But when the pace slows, Kyuss finds its zone, summoning up a sound that's relentless, monolithic, and thrilling, particularly on the devastating "Son of a Bitch." Blues for the Red Sun musters that sound at every tempo. Greatly improved production conveys a sense of power and menace that Wretch strove for but couldn't reach. Highlights include the chugging "Green Machine" and "Thong Song" (no relation to Sisqó), which features lead howler John Garcia intoning these deathless lyrics: "My hair is real long/No brains, all brawn . . . I hate slow songs."

Kyuss' third, self-titled album (also commonly referred to as Welcome to Sky Valley after the sign on its cover) is sludgier and less fun; still, the exploratory jam on "N.O." and the pummel-one-chord-and-repeat-until-exhausted ending of "Supa Scoopa and Mighty Scoop" are boss. . . . And the Circus Leaves Town offers diverting turns into quasipsychedelia and pseudoreggae, but except for the massive, 11-minute-plus "Spaceship Landing," the big rock songs are nothing special. Despite its best-of billing, Muchas Gracias is actually a collection of rarities, most of which should have stayed rare. (MAC RANDALL)

From 2004's The New Rolling Stone Album Guide