Demon Cleaner (song)

Demon Cleaner is a song by American rock band Kyuss. It was released as the first single from their third album Welcome to Sky Valley in 1994. It was written by the band's guitarist Josh Homme.

"Demon Cleaner"
Single by Kyuss
from the album Welcome to Sky Valley
ReleasedSeptember 1994
RecordedEarly 1993
Genre
Length5:19
LabelElektra Records
Songwriter(s)Josh Homme
Producer(s)Kyuss, Chris Goss
Kyuss singles chronology
"Green Machine"
(1993)		 "Demon Cleaner"
(1994)		 "Gardenia"
(1995)
Music video
"Demon Cleaner" on YouTube

Release

Released as a single in September 1994, "Demon Cleaner" was Kyuss' biggest hit.[1] The b-side to the single, "Day One (To Chris and Dave)", is apparently dedicated to surviving Nirvana band members Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl as it was released after the death of Nirvana band leader, Kurt Cobain.[2][3]

In 2000, the song "Demon Cleaner" was re-released on Muchas Gracias: The Best of Kyuss, which although was promoted as a "best of" album was actually mostly a collection of b-sides, live tracks and rarities.[4]

Reception

In their review of Welcome to Sky Valley, CMJ tells the reader to "cleanse your mind with "Demon Cleaner"".[5]

A review by the Gavin Report stated "Psychedelic hard rock enthusiasts rejoice! Elektra Records treats you to more groove-infested rock from Kyuss with the release of "Demon Cleaner", a four-song EP featuring three live tracks recorded at the Marquee Club in Hamburg. Squirrely guitar licks layered with Sabbath-styled rhythms, severe drum bashing and haunting vocals await you when you throw this puppy on."[6]

In a retrospective review, Louder Sound stated, "This song has got it all, you're spellbound from the first second. The vocals on this track are amazing."[7] Paste rated it number 4 in their 8 Best Josh Homme Songs.[8] Guitar.com included it in their 11 Essential Stoner Rock And Metal Tracks To Hear In 2021.[9] Ultimate Classic Rock described the song as having a monster groove.[10]

Music video

A review of the music video by CMJ stated that Kyuss produces a pretty dark racket. Unsurprisingly, the band's latest video is filled with characters of sinister and curious.[11]

Personnel

Track listings

Charts
Chart (1994-1995) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[13] 78
US Top 40 Rock Airplay (Gavin Report)[14] 25

Cover versions

"Demon Cleaner" has been covered live by American rock band Tool.[15]

Use in other media

"Demon Cleaner" featured in the 2009 videogame Guitar Hero: Metallica.[16][17]

Legacy

Swedish stoner rock band, Demon Cleaner, took their band-name from the Kyuss song.[18]

References
  1. Brown, Dean (February 23, 2015). "25 Years On: And The Circus Leaves Town By Kyuss Revisited". Thequietus.com. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  2. "Kyuss: "Day One (To Dave & Chris)" From...And The Circus Leaves Town". hiddensongs.com. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  3. "Day One". genius.com. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  4. Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Muchas Gracias: The Best of Kyuss Review by Eduardo Rivadavia". AllMusic. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  5. Glenn, Jenni (June 27, 1994). "Arch!!! Its The Loud Rock Report - Kyuss - Sky Valley" (PDF). CMJ. p. 29. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  6. "Gavin Rocks - Kyuss - "Demon Cleaner"" (PDF). Gavin Report. January 3, 1995. p. 36. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  7. Edwards, Briony (May 22, 2020). "Playlist: A guide to Kyuss, by Louise Lemon". Louder Sound. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  8. Turman, Katherine (July 13, 2017). "The 8 Best Josh Homme Songs". Paste. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  9. Breathnach, Cillian (April 20, 2021). "11 Essential Stoner Rock And Metal Tracks To Hear In 2021". Guitar.com. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  10. Rivadavia, Eduardo (June 28, 2015). "How Kyuss Began To Fall Apart With 'Welcome To Sky Valley'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  11. Ciabattoni, Steve; Helms, Colin (September 26, 1994). "Video Reviews - Kyuss - Demon Cleaner" (PDF). CMJ. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  12. "Kyuss - Demon Cleaner". Discogs. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  13. "Kyuss: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  14. Fiend, Rob (February 10, 1995). "Gavin Rocks" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 27. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  15. Hill, Stephen (March 11, 2022). "10 deep cuts Tool need to add to their setlist right now". Loudersound.com. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  16. Kuchera, Ben (December 30, 2008). "Metallica: getting Slayer into Guitar Hero a challenge". Ars Technica. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  17. W, Adam (June 16, 2009). "Xbox 360 Review: Guitar Hero Metallica". vg-reloaded.com. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  18. "Reviews - Demon Cleaner - The Freeflight" (PDF). CMJ. July 3, 2000. p. 24. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
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