Musings: Cleõphüzz – Mystic Vulture

I always love stumbling upon a Quebec band I’ve never heard of. Cleõphüzz is a psychedelic desert rock quintet from the far west of Quebec, more specifically Ville-Marie, a town on Lake Temiscaming. For those wondering where it’s located with respect to Montreal—the most well-known city in Quebec—well, it’s about a seven-hour drive from my hometown of Montreal. Mystic Vulture came out last week and is the band’s first full-length following 2018’s excellent Wizard of Phüzz EP.

Let’s start from the beginning with “The End”, a short, mystical instrumental full of western imagery. Makes you feel as if you’re about to watch a Sergio Leone spaghetti western. The apt-titled “Desert Rider” features beautiful cello and female vocals adding extra textures to the proceedings. “Sortilège” (French for “Magic Spell”) is a superb instrumental with the cello making a lovely appearance once again. “Desperado” is the highlight of the album, in my humble opinion—an epic track that builds to a magnificent crescendo. THIS is desert rock! The song was first recorded in 2019 and has evolved into this improved version for the new record. “Sarcophage” (French for “Sarcophagus”) is another standout track. The LP’s third instrumental where evil looms throughout. It’s an unrelenting celebration of desert rock. “When the Siren Blows” is a stellar groovy song with its space rock roots and grungy vibes. The fiery guitars and racing keys take it to the next level. Next up is the title track, a quasi-instrumental, lyric-less piece that is an absolute gem! Gets my vote for my favourite instrumental of the album. “Sundown in the Afterlife” is the last song—time to ride off into the sunset. A catchy tune and my second fave after “Desperado”. The melody and rhythm are full of energy and infectious till the last note.

Cleõphüzz delivers a fantastic album with Mystic Vulture. A largely instrumental affair, it’ll take you on a sun-drenched sonic journey. I swear, you’ll feel the sand between your toes at times! Competent musicianship and catchy tunes galore will put a smile on the faces of those who dig desert rock, stoner rock, and psychedelic rock in all its shapes and sizes. Head over to Bandcamp and treat yourself to some nice warm music from a very cold place in Quebec. And make sure to check out their Wizard of Phüzz EP; it’s just as great.

Cleõphüzz on Bandcamp: https://cleophuzz.bandcamp.com/music