Phiasco – Kessel

 

 

Phiasco – Kessel
Self released – 2022
Rock, Stoner, Fuzz, Desert, Psych, Space, Prog
Rated: *****

“1.21 Gigawatts!?!” It’s the contraption! It’s the energy! It’s the time machine! It’s the new Kessel album by Phiasco! And you could start qualifying German quartet Phiasco as whatever heavy rock band you might want; cause they display the quality and the quantity of being able to play whatever the hell they desire. But most prevalent on their newest release Kessel are the references to the almighty desert, the good stonerrock, the psychedelic touch you need and then turning it all into a sweet and tasty mixture of good-natured fuzz. “This Is Heavy!” But before this mighty Kessel started running, the four Phiasco brothers released their first EP back in 2012, following that up with the already damn fine Vieh in 2016. But Kessel is of an entirely different order. It feels like a bronze, antique, copper beast of a machine. Which is of course the image the album cover, the lovely fun video for single Lucky Loop, the press pictures and their entire image will conjure up. But it’s also the music. It never goes too extreme, too loud, or too fast, perhaps not for fear the old vintage analogue Kessel might break up into a million pieces, but because the songs are so meticulously crafted, it felt wrong to make it all explode. “This Is Heavy!” And then there’s the humor residing in so much of what Phiasco seems to be about; we therefor aren’t even sure if opening track Cherokee is referencing the Indian Tribe, being a universal, time jumping wanderer in a metaphysical way or that they actually secretely mean their Jeep Cherokee, should ‘ride on’… Either way, as opening tracks go, Cherokee immediately sets you up nice for everything Kessel will offer. Irresistible riffage, great use of vocals and the perfect amount of variation to keep everything running in pristine condition. In such pristine condition that should Kessel run out of fuel at one point, the apparatus will be propelled at least another thousand miles on riffs alone… “This Is Heavy!”

(Written by JK)

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