Red Sun Atacama - Darwin (Album Review)

Release Date: June 17th 2022. Record Label: MRS Red Sounds Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Darwin - Tracklisting

1.11-CH 00:54

2.Furies 08:38

3.Antares 09:40

4.Echoes 06:01

5.Revvelator 05:00

6.Ribbons 08:26

Members

Clément Márquez: bass, vocals

Robin Caillon: drums, percussions

Vincent Hospital: guitar

Review

Desert/Stoner Rockers Red Sun Atacama new album Darwin sees the band offer a more Desert Punk sound with a Streetwise attitude and with a frenzied Stoner Rock approach that can be quite “JAZZY” in places. Classically structured as a Stoner Rock album but with the band playing a Punk Rock approach that is fully realised throughout the album.

Opening song 11-CH is an instrumental offering that doesn’t really bring anything new or exciting to the table but it’s a cool sounding interlude to open the album with.

Red Sun Atacama get the album moving along on stunning second track Furies which approaches the Stoner Rock world with a flashy style Aggressive Punk Rock and FUZZED UP guitars. Imagine KYUSS and FU MANCHU jamming with The Ramones but with a heavy Psych Rock flavour and this is how this track sounds and feels. The song allows the band every creative opportunity to embrace a more freakier style of music with the epic extended jams that appear on the track.

Third song Antares sees Red Sun Atacama continue with that mighty progressive style of Desert/Stoner Rock on the later stages of the track with a true “AMPLIFIER WORSHIP” vibe to almost extreme levels of WEEDIAN based volume. Though, the band starts off with a “Post-Stoner” sonic groove that slowly builds up over time with many different strands of eerie Psych Rock for a more illuminating style of music. Parts 70’s Prog Rock and modern day Stoner theatrics combine for a track that offers perhaps the best instrumental sounds from the band. Red Sun Atacama earns their money on this track alone.

The final three songs Echoes, Revolver and Ribbons sees the band delve further into the trippy based weirdness of the earlier sounds of the album but with a “real life” feel with the excellent lyrics and vocals that accompany these tracks. The songs are violently quick and maybe the band could have slowed things right down on certain sections of the album. However, this allows the album to be a refreshing style of freaky Psych Stoner Rock with Red Sun Atacama perhaps getting the whole “Desert Punk” vibe a whole lot more than Brant Bjork recently.

Darwin is a refreshing change of pace for the Stoner Rock underground. As it’s a bold, vivid and adventurous offering that moves along at a cracking violently aggressive pace. 

This is perhaps one of the “quintessential” Desert/Stoner Rock albums to currently own right now. Red Sun Atacama have delivered the goods with this album and have released their best album to date. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Shake Promotion for the promo.

Darwin is available to buy now on CD/DD/VInyl via MRS Red Sounds Records

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Red Sun Atacama - Licancabur (Album Review)

Release date: June 29th 2018. Label: More Fuzz Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Licancabur – Tracklisting

1.Atacama ((intro)) 00:36

2.The Gold 10:39

3.Red Queen 05:53

4.Cupid's Arrows 01:45

5.Drawers 04:27

6.Empire 11:59

Members

R. : Drums/Powerhouse

C. : Bass-Vocals/Vibe

V. : Guitar/Magic

Review

Red Sun Atacama debut album Licancabur is a dynamic mix of Desert Rock, Stoner, Psych, Fuzz and Garage Rock. The opening song - Intro - is a nicely played instrumental song which doesn't really offer much in the way of excitement. It could have easily been left off the album. Though Red Sun Atacama finally spring the album into life with the excellent second track - Gold. A constant heavy mix that draws the best parts of Kyuss and Truckfighters into one fast and heavy package.

The vocals have a cool retro Desert Rock feel. The production is very rough and ready but that's a good thing as this allows the band to play to their strengths. The music is always constantly engaging and never bores you for a second.

The heavy FUZZ sound does have the early sounds of Truckfighters running through its veins. The garage rock atmosphere at least allows Red Sun Atacama in treating the audience to fast-paced and heavy Desert Rock adventure. Songs such as Red Queen, Drawers and Empire is where Red Sun Atacama impresses the most as they start creating music on their own terms.

The lyrics are very direct and match the music superbly well. This is what you expect for an album such as this. Maybe the album could have done a couple of more songs just to make the album that little bit longer. As the album has a brisk thirty-five minute running time. However there is a lot of fun to be had. Especially when the Psychedelic Desert/Stoner Rock grooves takes centre stage and demands you take notice of the band.

Overall, Red Sun Atacama has created a superbly entertaining album that will leave you with a warm FUZZY feeling for a long time to come. If you're a fan of Kyuss and Truckfighters then Licancabur is the album for you.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Tanguy at More Fuzz Records for sending a promo to review, Licancabur is available to buy on DD now. Vinyl will be released later this year via More Fuzz Records.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp