Kyuss — Kyuss (aka Welcome to Sky Valley)

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…

29 years ago today, “Supa Scoopa and Mighty Scoop” took us on a trip to Sky Valley!

On this day (June 28) 1994, Kyuss released their third full-length studio album eponymously titled, “Kyuss” (now known as “Welcome to Sky Valley” or just “Sky Valley”) via Elektra and Chameleon Records.

Kyuss’ Background:

Kyuss were formed in Palm Desert, California, in 1987 under the moniker Katzenjammer before changing there name to Sons of Kyuss. In 1989 the band recorded their eponymous debut EP, Sons of Kyuss, which was their only release to feature Chris Cockrell on bass. After self-releasing the EP in 1990, the band recruited Nick Oliveri – who had previously played second guitar in Katzenjammer – to replace Cockrell on bass, and shortened their name to Kyuss. Kyuss' first line-up consisted of vocalist John Garcia, guitarist Josh Homme, bassist Nick Oliveri and drummer Brant Bjork. Oliveri left the band following completion of “Blues for the Red Sun” and Scott Reeder, who had been approached about joining Kyuss five to six months earlier during a West Coast tour with The Obsessed, made his debut at the release party for “Blues for the Red Sun”.

The band disbanded in 1995, and since then, members of Kyuss have gone on to form or play in several notable bands including Queens of the Stone Age, Fu Manchu, Dwarves, Eagles Of Death Metal, Mondo Generator, Hermano, Unida, Slo Burn and Them Crooked Vultures.

Album Background:

Following the release of “Blues for the Red Sun”, the band soon found themselves signed with major label Elektra Records after Dali Records hit financial problems and was bought by Elektra (details below). In 1994, they would release their first major label album, self-titled “Kyuss”. Originally intended to be titled “Pools of Mercury”, the album commonly came to be known among fans as “Welcome to Sky Valley”.

“Welcome to Sky Valley” was recorded in early 1993 and scheduled for release in January 1994. Between record company shuffling and bandmember shuffling it would take a whole year for the album to be released. Once again produced by Chris Goss, it received critical acclaim and, musically, demonstrated a much more psychedelic and mature sound. They sneak-previewed the completed album at Foundations Forum 93 and contributed the song "Demon Cleaner" to the sampler disc.

Due to mild success from their previous album, Kyuss had been promoted from their subsidiary record label "Dali" to the main label "Chameleon". On November 11, 1993 Chameleon Records abruptly shut down. Their joint-venture partner Elektra quickly picked up the band and scheduled the album for release in March 1994. The album was then delayed for another three months after that, eventually being released almost a year after being initially recorded.

“Welcome to Sky Valley” has been described as Stoner Rock and Stoner Metal. This is the first Kyuss album to feature bassist Scott Reeder, who replaced Nick Oliveri in 1992. “Welcome to Sky Valley” was the last to feature founding member Brant Bjork. Personal problems had emerged and he left the band following completion of the recording sessions. Bjork cited his extreme distaste for touring, particularly band relationship problems that develop during long periods on the road. He was replaced by Alfredo Hernández, who had previously played with Reeder in the band Across the River during the mid-80s.

The song "N.O." was originally recorded by Reeder’s former band, Across the River, a band fronted by Mario Lalli. After Reeder left The Obsessed and joined Kyuss, Bjork suggested they record "N.O." as a tribute to Across the River.

On CD, “Welcome to Sky Valley” was originally released with its ten total songs contained in three tracks, with an additional, fourth hidden track. It was later re-released with all ten tracks separated individually. However, most commercially sold versions of the compact disc contain the three tracks, a setup which is meant to encourage listeners to experience it as a full album instead of as a collection of separate songs. Guitarist Josh Homme claimed in an interview that the band "just wanted it to be like hell to play on a CD player". The album's liner notes instruct the listener to "Listen without distraction".

The band Tool covered "Demon Cleaner" live twice (albeit with slight lyrics changes), with bassist Scott Reeder joining them onstage during the performances: March 27, 1998 in Los Angeles, California, at The Hollywood Palladium, March 29, 1998 in San Diego, California, at The Rimac Theatre. The song is also featured in the video games Guitar Hero Metallica and The Crew.

Critical Reception:

In a review for dailyrepublic.com, Nick DeCicco writes; “Seemingly everything locks into place where it should on Kyuss’ third album, “Welcome to Sky Valley.”

I’d come across Kyuss years ago due to “Blues for the Red Sun,” but entering “Sky Valley,” I was only familiar with “Demon Cleaner,” a low-key affair by Kyuss standards, a stoner rock boogie without the blast of heavy riffs typical from the genre.

What makes “Sky Valley” so darned good is its willingness to deviate from the formula with “Demon Cleaner”-type tracks as well as it handles the obligatory stoner rock tracks, too. “Odyssey” builds and winds up as though it could have opened the record, but it’s the seventh track.

There are seeds of Queens of the Stone Age, the band guitarist Josh Homme would front after departing Kyuss, particularly the scuzzy, fuzzy walls of sound on opener “Gardenia” or the blistering “N.O.”

The freakout sections work, too. “100 Degrees” cooks until it cuts off midsong and “Space Cadet” is a freaky acoustic burner until the seven-minute track’s final 90 seconds. “Sky Valley” has to be considered one of the finer efforts in the Stoner Rock genre.”

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

Click this link to listen to “Welcome to Sky Valley” via Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/welcome-to-sky-valley/207973376

Click this link to listen to “Welcome to Sky Valley” via Spotify: Welcome to Sky Valley https://open.spotify.com/album/1npen0QK3TNxZd2hLNzzOj

Click this link to watch the official music video for “Demon Cleaner”: https://youtu.be/B7Ske2eKX2g

Click this link to follow the Kyuss on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063912931838

Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells

Kyuss — Kyuss (aka Welcome to Sky Valley)

Kyuss’ Background:

Album Background:

Critical Reception:

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

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