Kyuss Lives / Blood Cargo / Burden

You haven't got enough fingers and toes to count the number of reunion tours that have emerged over the past few years. It's almost become just another process in a band's life cycle. But tonight's buzz was a little different. A little more genuine.

Both support acts brought forth to entertain the rabble this evening were of a strange choosing. Opening band Burden brought little with them. An unquestionably cocky lead singer fell into every pet hate pitfall of an opening act. Too busy smothering the audience with small talk then actually proving their musical colours, their Phil Anselmo cloned front man did little to ignite. Following act 'Blood Cargo were certainly a more polished, sharper version of the openers, but again seemed to be a very odd choice for tonight's music. Guitarist and vocalist laden with Down T-shirts and tattoos respectively, clearly showing their musical influences. Not bad music by any means, but perhaps just not quite the right appetizer for tonight's main affair.

With three of the four members of the original line-up here this evening, many people cast doubt on the ability of the reunited headliners. But as soon as the beautifully distorted opening chords of 'Gardenia' rang throughout the venue, the whole room melted into a pulsating blur of madness. Kyuss were back. Finally.

Songs flowed perfectly from one another. Handpicked from all corners of their four album career, they delivered hit after hit after hit. From the crushing bass of 'Thumb' to the perfect pacing of 'Freedom Run' the crowd were in perfect audio euphoria. Uncontrollable dancing erupted all around the hall, as people truly lost themselves in the sounds emerging before them. With eyes closed, smells of the stoner's choice teased every nostril in the hall and with the audio pioneers before them, it was too easy to fall into the whirlpools of dancing swishing around.

There wasn't any need for talk, and mastermind front man John Garcia took little time to dispense any between tracks. The night flowed as if songs didn't even stop. The crowd was nothing short of completely entranced. Air guitars and head banging silhouetted in front of the stage.

Kyuss also delivered on the pace of the set. Knowing which tracks to slow down things a notch, allowing people to recover before firing full power back into their instrumental heavy back catalogue. The band were having fun too. Each member smiling whilst pouring every ounce of energy into every note hit. A small slap from Garcia on the rear end of bassist Nick Oliveri brought a massive smile to the legendary four string strummer. It's great to see that kind of cohesion and entertainment unfolding before you. A band which have been through so much and come so far, to be back to where it all started and still loving each second.

An epically heavy rendition of '100 (degrees)' bought the bulk of the set list to a close.

The red light and smoke began to settle before the giant Kyuss Lives! backdrop. Illuminating the whole room in an almost desert sunset hue.

Kyuss Lives! Returned onstage to be introduced officially by their lead man. With rookie six stringer Bruno Fevery receiving a well earned applause equal his three founding comrades. They polish off their two song encore with the timeless 'Green Machine' in front of a crowd whom has succumbed to their every whim.

Tonight was about something more than music. It was an audience and band which understood how long this was overdue. An audience in perfect synchronisation with it's entertainment is a rare thing to see. But to see it last a whole set list, just proves why Kyuss will always live. How they are and always will be of the highest pedigree of the desert. Stoner rock can sleep well again tonight. For the masters have just proved again why it is some of the best music ever made.

FUTURE GIGS

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