Track Listing

1. Thumb
2. Green Machine
3. Molten Universe
4. Fifty Million Year Trip (Downside Up)
5. Thong Song
6. Apothecarie's Weight
7. Caterpillar March
8. Freedom Run
9. 800
10. Writhe
11. Capsized
12. Allen's Wrench
13. Mondo Generation
14. Yeah

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20527 in Music
• Released on: 1993-02-15
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
A bit grunge, a bit metal and a whole lotta rock & roll, 1992's Blues for the Red Sun may well be the finest album by short-lived rock gods Kyuss. With guitars tuned way down and amps turned way up, Blues for the Red Sun practically deafens in its assault, switching from light melodies to hammering riffs in a blink on some tracks ("Thumb", "Thong Song") or slowly building to a high volume release on others ("Freedom Run"). When they do achieve full rock bliss, they do so unrelentlessly--"Green Machine" practically thrashes out for an atypical (for Kyuss, at least) three-and-a-half minutes. Updating Black Sabbath's heaviness by way of Arizona desert psychedelia and epic jams, Blues for the Red Sun established the blueprint for the entire "stoner rock" movement. Even Kyuss never matched it, let alone beat it. --Robert Burrow

Customer Reviews

Josh Homme & Co Will CRUSH YOUR BONES!!!
Before finding worldwide success with Queens of the Stone Age, Josh Homme was the monstrous lead guitarist of legendary 90's desert rock act Kyuss. Along with "Welcome To Sky Valley" and "...And The Circus Leaves Town", this album created an enthralling and influential trilogy. All three albums fused retro bluesy grooves with thundering riffs, trippy sonic jams and the booming rasp of vocalist John Garcia, creating an utterly unique and bold sound. Today many bands imitate this breed of stoner rock, but none can reach the absolute supremacy of Kyuss.

"Blues For The Red Sun" was the first realisation of the band's potential, as their debut "Wretch" left much to be desired. The song writing was vastly improved, being more ambitious and importantly executed with greater precision and style. Examples of this include the intense "Freedom Run", a vast slow-burner that envelopes trippy brooding passages, a swaggering lead riff, sublime jamming and Garcia's glorious gritty voice. The two-part piece of "Molten Universe/50 Million Year Trip" is my favourite moment on the album, and really showcases everything great about the band. The piece is a journey, starting with Homme laying down some monumental riffs, backed up perfectly by Brant Bjork's powerful drumming. Things take a swift and energetic tempo shift and Garcia's vocals come swiping through. The song closes on a wonderfully laid-back groove, with Homme creating some trippy sounds over the top of Garcia's echoing ethereal vocals. This song alone is proof that Kyuss kick some major ass.

The album also shows Kyuss' ability to create concise and infectious songs. Opener "Thumb" kicks things off in sweet and simple style, evolving around a booming main chorus and lead riff. Similarly "Green Machine" is mostly centred around a simple and addictive chorus theme - hence why it was one of the rare Kyuss songs to obtain some form of commercial success. "Thong Song" is a tongue-in-cheek comical affair, with unapologetic lyrics concerning long hair, brawn and thongs...it is a simple and fun rocker. These songs act as great contrasts to the extended pieces, giving variation and needed balance to the album.

For fans of the desert rock/stoner rock scene, this album and all other Kyuss releases is necessary. It should also very much appeal to fans of 70s rock - Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Hawkwind etc as the band lends heavily from these influences, but gives the styling a fresh outfit. For those interested in getting into Kyuss I would suggest this album or "Welcome To Sky Valley" as the best starting points. Happy rocking.

potential almost realised
released in 1992,kyuss' 'blues for the red sun' is considered as one of the defining stoner rock albums,on peoples lists this album ranks highly,i for one can see why but my eyes can turn away from the fact that this album is let down by too many dull instrumentals and the odd track that isnt worth note,take for instance the tracks '800','capsized' and album closer 'yeah' ,all three tracks barely last a minute and offer nothing,i would like to sit down and hear an explanation as to why these tracks are considered gold,how can they be?
Nevertheless the album contains plenty of tracks that deliver and showcase a band that while not ahead of their time as such as stoner rock is an old art,are as influential as any band can be,bands like orange goblin,grand magus and corrosion of conformity wouldnt exist without kyuss and i an giving respect where respect is due there.
The band featured at this juncture,john garcia on vocals,truly a great voice,josh homme on guitar,now of queens of the stone age fame,nick oliveria on bass,once of queens and brant bjork on drums,does his job brilliantly,all members forged together to make an album of downtuned,scuzzy riffs with a certain drive about it.
The band are indeed a stoner band,no questions,there is no doom here which some would appreciate,there are the odd grunge moment thrown in,the album is a sign of its time i guess,but the grunge is limited so dont let that put you off,the albums opener is class and the same can be said for a good few songs here so im happy with this album,its just a little annoying with short tracks that offer nothing,a nice 3.5 out of 5 album which is essentially a great album.

Hidden Gem
Kyuss were a group I'd seen mentioned in relation to Josh Homme and QOTSA but never new anything about - what an error. This album is outstanding. A previous reviewer has referred to this as the ultimate driving album and they aren't far wrong. If you liked the riffing of Metallica's black album I think you'll like this.