Sick Porky
Ancestral (CD) 2006 Zonda
Sick Porky. The name brings to mind images of maggoty pork and trichinosis, complemented by some kind of gross grind/sludge/industrial noise soundtrack. Kind of like Throbbing Gristle or something. Well, sir, I'm here to tell ya that these Argentinian stoners are nothing of the kind. These dudes bring the old school desert rock (ca. 1998) with a heart full of love and two fists full of mota and cerveza. So let's get it out of the way: Yes, you've heard it before and yes, 'Sky Valley' does it better. But for those of us unregenerate lovers of música de desierto, 'Ancestral' brings it just fine, thank you. They've got it all, from the beautiful reverberating vocals and great wah attack of 'Dos Rupias' and the soulful vocals of 'La Fuerza' to the harmonica of 'Lobo Solitario'. The rhythms are tight and galloping, the riffs explode like shards of glass all over the studio, the vocals are clean and expressive, and the guitars have fuzztone to spare. Yeah, they've got their priorities in order alright, so when you're jonesing for some heavy groove, get with these southern brothers for a quick cure. Do I need to trot out some suspects to give you a better idea of what we're talking about? Very well: Kyuss, QOTSA, Unida, early Natas, Buffalo, Pappo's Blues, Nebula, Sasquatch. A noble list indeed! Sick Porky should not feel shy about standing alongside these musical titans, and you groovesters should not feel shy about picking up on this delicious tuneage.	1. Dos Rupias 2. Zakkarias 3. Buitro 4. la Fuerza 5. Lo peor de mi 6. Exodo 7. Druida 8. Sombrio 9. Ivan el rockero 10. Crepitaculum 11. Lobo Solitario Approx. 44 minutes
Reviewed by: Kevin McHugh