Release Date: September 02nd 2022. Record Label: Self Released (US) / Stickman Records (Europe). Format:CD/DD/Vinyl
Regenerator - Tracklisting
1.Regenerator
2.Mercury
3.Hours
4.Interlude
5.Mammoth
6.Avalon
7.Firmament
Members
Sean McVey - Guitar, Vocals & Synth
Dan Reynolds - Bass & Synth
Scott Donaldson - Drums
Review
Psych Stoner Rockers King Buffalo are currently on the crest of a wave with sold out tours and performances across Europe and USA. Their live performances and recent albums have received acclaim from fans and critics alike. That rich vein of form will no doubt continue with their epic new album Regenerator. An album that closes off their recent trilogy of albums that started with The Burden Of Restlessness and Acheron. Two albums that showed a different creative side to the band and now Regenerator bridges the gap between those two albums whilst allowing King Buffalo the opportunity to forge heavier and different sounds.
This album captures the early classic sounds from King Buffalo whilst adapting a more adventurous Psychedelic spirit throughout the album. Echoes of Post-Rock, Space Rock and Sludge Rock are the main order of business here with a more direct cinematic vision. Spellbinding vocals and celestial lyrics can be heard within the outstanding title track Regenerator.
Regenerator is a nine minute opus that showcases why King Buffalo are perhaps the finest Psych Stoner Rock band currently around within the underground scene. Spacey and full of inventive melodic hooks with Sean’s vocals being super-friendly as ever. The music branches off into different themes and areas of music we’ve encountered over the last two albums but perhaps with more serious intent here. There’s a lovely energetic atmosphere on this album with King Buffalo being a tour-de-force when the heavier grooves appear.
Second song Mercury carries on the warm hearted nature of the opening song but with a more mellow Americana based sound. The Ambient noises inject a new wave of creativity we haven’t heard from the band before. Subtle lyrics and an understated performance keeps the mood interesting with a mellow Ambient/Post-Rock drive. That all changes when King Buffalo plays a more vibrant style of Psychedelic Stoner Rock with a violent Sludge Rock energy allowing the album to become something else you didn’t expect.
The opening two songs will tell the listener all they need to know for what to expect for the remainder of the album. However, I can still highlight my other favourite tracks from the album with Hours, Avalon and Firmament. As these tracks have the most powerful and emotional lyrics that do tug at the heartstrings at times.
The music is always constantly evolving to the next level of heaviness even when the mellow notes remain constantly in the background. This could be my favourite King Buffalo album yet. As it’s an unexpected and cinematic adventure that brings pure joy to me every time I listen to the album.
The production values are first rate which you would expect anyway being a King Buffalo album. Another highlight for me was the band relying more on Ambient Sounds and Post-Rock themes that gives an extra dimension of heaviness to their music. Regenerator is more sonically diverse compared to previous King Buffalo albums.
Regenerator is a modern day masterpiece and is without doubt one of the finest albums I’ve heard this year or any year for that matter.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Mona at All Noir PR for the promo.
Regenerator will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from September 02nd 2022 from the links below:
King Buffalo - USA Customers
Stickman Records - Everywhere else.
Links:
Official | Facebook | BandCamp
