Release
date: March 20th
2020. Label: Self Released (Everywhere
Else) / Stickman Records (Europe).
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Dead
Star –
Tracklisting
1.Red
Star Pt. 1 & 2 16:21
2.Echo
of a Waning Star 03:04
3.Ecliptic
03:51
4.Eta
Carinae 08:01
5.Dead
Star 03:57
6.Red
Star Pt. 2 (Radio Edit) 04:41
Members
Sean
McVay - Guitar, Lead Vocals & Synth
Dan
Reynolds - Bass & Synth
Scott
Donaldson - Drums & Percussion
Review
Dead
Star is the new EP from famed Psych Stoner Rockers – King Buffalo –
and it continues the spaced out heavy journey the band perfected on
their last album. It’s good to see that Dead Star is on for a
considerable length running past the 36 minutes mark. Dead Star is
equally ambitious as King Buffalo previous albums with the band
focusing on experimenting more with their overall sound.
Opening
song – Red Star Pt. 1 & 2 – is a Progressive Spaced Out Opera
with the band playing a melody of different styles that fall under
the branch of Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal. The song is always
constantly evolving with traces of Drone, Post-Rock, Sludge Rock and
even Classic Rock for a consistent and challenging style of music.
The ethereal vocals feel coming from a distant galaxy of some sort
but the music is the EP’s main strength. The 1st part of
the song runs for 12 minutes and it’s an absolute delight to here.
Though it’s the 2nd part that’s perhaps the best part
of the entire EP with King Buffalo feeling hugely inspired by SLEEP
and their legendary Dopesmoker opus. You’ll understand when you
hear the song.
Second
song – Echo Of A Waning Star – is more of a laid back Psychedelic
style of music with King Buffalo moving into Post-Rock territory but
there are still some fantastic Heavy Stoner Sounds to explore with a
trippy Psychedelic vibe that King Buffalo are masters at conjuring
gigantic huge riffs out of nothing.
Third
song – Ecliptic – is a different change of direction from the
band. As this song is more Electronic based with a gloomy 80s sci-fi
setting. Maybe influenced by John Carpenter in places but this song
still fits into the overall vibe of the EP. There is still a
Doom/Stoner Rock sensibility running throughout this song but just
played in a different style and it’s a gloriously hip song that’s
superbly played from start to finish.
Fourth
song – Eta Carinae – is the type of song that King Buffalo can
play standing on their heads and it still sounds remarkably fresh and
original. This has more of a 70s/80s influence but still showing a
modern Psychedelic aesthetic as well. The ambient sounds interact
superbly well with the instrumental work the band lay down here. This
song runs for 8 minutes or so and King Buffalo have a lot of time to
play with and treat the listener to a more refined style of Psych
Stoner Rock.
Fifth
song – Dead Star – starts off as a semi-acoustic song and I
thought that the song would stay that way but the band wisely up
their game and bring the heavy grooves back with a thundering
presence. The 1st half of the song is wonderfully played
but I prefer the 2nd half of the song where the heavy
riffs appear. Though it’s good to see a different side from King
Buffalo. This song feels like a mash-up of All Them Witches and Elder
but King Buffalo still allowing their own creative ideas to reign
supreme.
The
final song is the radio edit version of Red Star Pt 2 and it’s good
to hear this song by itself. As this song is my favourite part of the
entire EP. It’s King Buffalo at their most loudest, flamboyant and
bombastic best.
Dead
Star is a masterclass of Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal that show why
King Buffalo are highly thought of within the Doom/Stoner Metal
community. For myself, personally speaking, this is the best release
I’ve heard from King Buffalo yet. As it allows the band to try
something different whilst retaining their classic sound and without
alienating their established fan-base.
Dead
Star is an essential release and if you’re a true Doom/Stoner Metal
fan then you need this record in your collection. This EP will end up
as one of my favourite records of the year…..
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to King Buffalo and Nick at Stickman Records for the promo.
Dead
Star is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Stickman Records in Europe and from King Buffalo everywhere else.
Links:
