Review por http://www.metalnews.simplenet.com:Grade/Rating: B+
Puya is a four-piece group whose members originally hail from Puerto Rico. Their music can be described as hard rock/alternative rock en espanol. The sound is a strange but cool cross of hardcore metal with strong traditional Latino influences, sort of like rock-meets-salsa. Most of the vocals are performed in Spanish, although there is a little English and even some Spanglish thrown in, that peculiar fake dialect that myself and my stupid peers used in high school Spanish class.
The music itself is really interesting. At first I was a tad put off by the Spanish (it's not as cool as Rammstein's German), and I also thought that the guitars weren't heavy enough. I was ready to write these guys off as "neat concept, bad execution." Thankfully I stuck with it, 'cos this album is loads of fun. I haven't heard another band out there that can throttle you with some smashing Korn-style metal, but then segue immediately into some sexy swingin' salsa sounds. One moment they'll be rockin' out ridiculously loud, then dip straight into some mambo. The horns and Latino percussion really distinguish this disc from all the other hardcore knock-off bands.
Of the dozen tracks on offer, my favorite by far is the laid-back "Whatever," a slick little tune that weaves a tale of the worst day of your life. The lyrical themes on this disc often touch on issues of Latino pride, not that I can really understand it too well. Somewhat wisely, many of the choruses here are in English, so it's easy enough to sing along to. The most important thing though is the music. You'll hear everything from funky Latin jazz to thrash metal on these twelve tracks; most of them are rather entertaining. If you're feeling a little adventurous, and especially if you enjoy salsa/mambo, then you'll get a kick out of Puya. Think of them as the Caribbean's answer to System of a Down.
--------
Review por tambre (Highway666.com):
This CD is the freshest most inovative sound I have heard in years. Let me explain first (if you don't know about PUYA), PUYA is from Puerto Rico, in a place where they had only two radio stations, one played the Latin sounds of salsa and the other....a steady stream of Pantera, Public Enemy, and Bad Brains. There you have it. PUYA is all that!
This album starts out with grinding metal guitars, followed by horns, when the vocals break in and a funk groove appears, the lyric's in Spanish, followed by speed metal.
Imagine feeling like moshing and bashing and then getting swept into a seductive latin feel, and just when your getting into that they change the mode to speed metal in your face!
Songs on the album include: oasis, fake, fundamental, montate, whatever, retro, keep it simple, sal pa'fuera, remora, trinidad, solo, and no inventes.
Great album! Great band! I highly suggest you check these guys out..... you know how hot those latin men can be.
----------
Review por Alan Gilkeson (Miningco.com):
These guys from Puerto Rico have created a unique hard edge sound ( see interview ) combining elements of Metal and Latin music. Admittedly I was skeptical, however this is a great record filled with promise. Surely comparisons to Korn, Deftones, and Limp Bizkit will arise but Puya is so much better musically that these comparisons are limiting. Puya's Fundamental may at times seem disjointed, switching without premise from hard riffs to salsa, but ultimately this pattern grows on the listener, and I'm sure when performed live it'll be a pattern of moshing and spanish dancing happening in the pit. There is probably nothing else like this anywhere so it's a great addition to any collection.
3.25 Stars out of 4 -(Excellent record. Definitely worth buying)
Standouts: Oasis, Fundamental, Trinidad, Fake.
----------
Review por Music-critic.com:
Did you ever think it possible for a heart attack to be brought on by Latin salsa music? Well, now that golden opportunity can be yours with the new album from Puerto Rico's own Puya. This is music to traumatize your grandmother with.
The plan is simple. Inform Grandma Martha that you just found out about this great new group. They are a rock band, but she may appreciate the heavy Latin influences found therein. Once she agrees, toss in the disc, press play, and get the phone. Now is the time to call 911. While you are waiting for the ambulance to come cart her away, you can enjoy the music found on this album. It was, afterall, made for you, not a weak-hearted senior citizen.
Now that you are free to take listen to this album in peace, you can enjoy its original musical stylings. Puya has found the happy medium between Pantera and salsa; definitely nothing you have heard before. This is not to say it is good or bad, mostly interesting. The album's opening track "Oasis" is the hardest, setting a Latin vibe under a guitar crunch as thrashing as anything Deftones have ever done. "Montate" (meaning Get On It) is similar in style to a Korn track, but once again including the salsa beats that set this band apart from the rest.
The music slows down a bit after the "Montate." "Whatever" focuses more on the band's Latin influences than their rock. It is more of a groove song than a "thrash ‘til you bleed" track. One of the coolest tracks on the album is "Keep It Simple," a track with heavy R&B influences. The slow and steady drumbeat in the back is coupled with an R&B guitar riff as well as violins, vibraphone, and a flute solo, yet never losing the salsa feel found throughout the rest of the album. The rest of the album consists of a return to their heavy sound.
My only complaint is the problems I have understanding what it is that they are trying to say. Perhaps that is because I don't understand much Spanish - at least half of the album is in their native language. If you are into bands for their music alone, there is no problem for you with this disc. They are definitely a talented group of individuals. The fact that I can't understand most lyrics is unimportant. It doesn't change the fact that this album rocks. Any fan of Deftones, Korn, Limp Bizkit, or the like should definitely give them a listen. Besides, who, other than grandma, can resist some good old-fashioned death-mambo? ~ Billy
----------
Review por Pulse!:
Alternative rock. Rock en espa–ol. Whatever you call it, Puya does it well. The Puerto Rican foursome (now relocated to Los Angeles) has a sound that combines the pummeling guitar of Rage Against the Machine, the power of Sepultura and traditional Latin rock/pop.
----------
Review por AMG:
Although rock en español was huge in the Latin market in the '80s and '90s, the language barrier kept it from reaching non-Latin audiences. The non-Latin divisions of major labels shied away from Spanish-language rock, and most programmers at alternative rock stations rejected songs that weren't in English.
Released by MCA in early 1999, Fundamental is a rare example of a major label's non-Latin division taking a gamble on a rock en espanol CD. Although not all of the disc's lyrics are in Spanish, most of them are. But whether or not one understands Spanish, it's crystal clear that Fundamental is strong musically. Puya offers an abrasive, forceful mixture of alternative rock, thrash metal and rap, and tunes like "Sal Pa' Fuera" and "Montate" have a lot to offer those who appreciate Sevendust, Korn or Rage Against the Machine. But unlike those bands, Puya sometimes incorporates elements of salsa -- and, of course, another main difference is the fact that most of Puya's lyrics aren't in English. This is a fine album; one hopes that the language barrier won't prevent English-speaking rockers from enjoying it. ~ Alex Henderson
----------
Review por CDNOW:
A Puerto Rican band raised on a steady diet of speed metal, hardcore rap and alternative rock, Puya set out to become rock en español's answer to Korn or Limp Bizkit.
And while the band has done that on its debut album, Fundamental, its also achieved something even more impressive.
With its hard-rock chops already in place, the group went back, rediscovered the sounds of the Latin styles it had grown up with and incorporated those elements into its music.
So while a song like "Fake" might start out as a Metallica-inspired skullcrusher, it ends up as a smooth salsa tune, with fuzzed-out guitars giving way to muted trumpets for a while, and then taking over again. Reversing the formula, the title track is a simmering dance tune that suddenly turns to aggro-rock madness, with an avant-jazz sax solo thrown in for good measure.
The San Juan-bred quartet sings in Spanish, English and Spanglish, offering a little something for everyone. Other standouts include the razor-edged "Retro" and the hip-hop driven "Sal Pa' Fuera."
Fundamental will have you pumping your fist and shaking your butt, often at the same time.
----------
Review por CMJ New Music Report:
Metal and world music are not exactly strange bedfellows. Just look at the success of Sepultura and System Of A Down with their South American and Middle Eastern influences, respectively. Puerto Rico's Puya joins the cultural metal pool, fostering a sharp sound that fuses resonant, low, typewriter riffage with salsa-esque breaks and Latin percussion and rhythms. At times, Puya's lyrics are sung in the band's native Spanish, which lends an element of excitement and mystery, but the grooves remain completely accessible. Besides, kids in the pit will be too busy moshing and dancing like maniacs that they won't waste time concerning themselves with the language barrier.
Amy Sciaretto
