KYUSS / QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – Kyuss / Queens of the Stone Age (1997 split Man’s Ruin EP)

Sometimes, EPs are essential.  Even better:  an essential split EP, when you actually like both bands.

Kyuss split in 1996, and guitarist Josh Homme was fast out of the gates with a new EP under the name Gammy Ray.  Another Gamma Ray from Germany sued, and so Homme changed the name to Queens of the Stone Age (a nickname coined by producer Chris Goss from Masters of Reality, for Kyuss themselves).

The split EP, Kyuss / Queens of the Stone Age (double self-titled!) offered a debut for Homme’s new band, and a posthumous release for Kyuss.  Kyuss’ side opens with the previously released single “Into the Void”, the Black Sabbath cover.  Far sludgier even than the Sabbath original, this one pukes messy distortion and rolling bass all over the floor.  It gets really cool in the middle section, normally fast and heavy, but here jammy and psychedelic complete with congas.  There’s an original guitar solo by Homme, but parts of it sound like something Iommi could have written.  Other parts are purely Josh.  This is a long-bomber eight-minute version ideal, for headbanging…or spacing out.

“Fatso Forgotso” was the original B-side to the “Into the Void” single.  Here it is paired with “Fatso Forgotso Phase II”, a B-side to “One Inch Man”.  Phase I is the long bomber while Phase II is a faster blast.  The first time I ever heard Phase I, I was sleeping on a floor after a hell of a party.  The room was empty as the others had gone out to a local bar to finish the night.  I awoke to this monster of a riff.  It sounded like the ocean, it was so big.  I just lay there in my drunken state, letting this song wash over me, drown me, and bring me back to the surface.  It is fuzzy aural ectasy for its entire length, which is punctuated by Scott Reeder’s foundation bassline, and Alfredo Hernández’s busy drumming.  John Garcia’s lead vocal is way back in the mix, seemingly making the whole thing seem louder.  The congas kick in halfway through, and it turns into a desert jam with an incredible bass part.  Phase II is a completely different beast.  Four on the floor, quick and to the point.  Breakneck and thudding!  Incidentally, it was reissued on the compilation Muchos Gracias: The Best of Kyuss as “Flip the Phase”.

The Queens of the Stone Age made their debut (without Nick Olivieri, but with Van Connor on bass) on “If Only Everything”, a song that later became “If Only” on their self-titled LP.  The simple riff has always been one of Homme’s best.  This song, and “Born to Hula” are both from the deleted Gamma Ray EP, making the tracks easier to get.  “If Only Everything” could be the best Queens song – your call.  Definitely a strong start.  This version is rougher than the album cut, with vocals more buried in the mix and prominent snare.  “Born to Hula” is more futuristic, droning and hypnotic.  It too is monstrous.  Massive.  Cavernous.  Excellent.

“Spiders and Vinergaroons” was the sole unreleased song on this EP.  It later found a home on a reissue of the Queens’ self-titled album, along with other early EP rarities.  It has an unexpected Queen-like clap/stomp, but over a droning hypnotic lead guitar that meanders tensely through the first half of the instrumental track.  The second half is dominated by huge (like, Titanic) drums, and clavinet.  It shouldn’t work, but there it is.  Sounds like some backwards guitar thrown in for good measure.

This EP is characterised by long, heavy jams by both bands.  It’s not an immediate listen, but it is so rewarding.

4.5/5 stars