Friday 9 January 2015

Bandcamp Album Of The Week: Bison Machine - Hoarfrost

Hoarfrost cover art

Album Type: Album
Date Released: 17th November 2014
Label: Self Released
Hoarfrost – Track Listing

1.Cosmic Ark 04:01
2.Old Moon 06:32
3.Gamekeeper's Thumb 07:17
4.Viking Hand 03:53 video
5.Speed of Darkness 05:56
6.Giant's Coffin 08:52

Bio

CONCEIVED IN A SINGLE FAMILY WIGWAM ON THE FAR EASTERN REACHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT, AND THRUST FROM THE BIRTH CANAL IN A DUSTY BASEMENT IN HAMTRAMCK, BISON MACHINE GIVETH AND BISON MACHINE TAKETH AWAY; NO PRISONERS; NO ONE SURVIVES. LIVE SHOWS ARE THINGS OF WONDERMENT. VOLUME, BLUES, SATURATION. THAT IS THE PREVAILING ETHOS. HAMTRAMCK'S OWN ROCK SPECTACLE, HEAVY AND MELODIC. THINGS ARE BROKEN, BLOOD IS SPILLED, CLOTHES AND LOIN CLOTHS ARE RENT FROM BODIES, ANTLER AND HIDES ARE PREVALENT. PICTURE A SMALL CHILD RAISED ON THE DELTA BLUES SINCE BIRTH, THEN FORCE FED ZEPPELIN AND SABBATH TIL THEY COULD NO LONGER MOVE, THEN BEATEN AND WHIPPED WITH KYUSS, PENTAGRAM, EARTHLESS, DEAD MEADOW, WILLIE AND WAYLON, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, AND THIN LIZZY, UNTIL ONE DAY, THE CHILD REARS ITS UGLY BRUISED AND MISSHAPEN HEAD PERCHED UPON ITS GRIZZLED, MUSCULAR, ACROMEGALIC BODY RIPPLING WITH VIRILITY, SHRUGS OFF IT'S CHAINS, AND RUNS DOWN JOS CAMPAU NAKED, RIDING A SABERTOOTH TIGER. THIS IS THE MUSIC THAT POOR SOUL WOULD BE SINGING.

BISON MACHINE

AND NO ONE SURVIVES.

Members

Vocals: Tom Stec
Guitar: John deVries
Bass: Anthony Franchina
Drums: Breck Crandell

Review:

We are trying out a new feature at Sludgelord – BandCamp Album Of The Week. Where we showcase what we think is the best album on BandCamp on a weekly basis. So lets get started with our first choice – BISON MACHINE.

We are huge fans of Bison Machine here at Sludgelord HQ. We have featured them twice before on the blog and now the guys return with their new album – Hoarfrost. This album is a different beast compared to their earlier releases as the band return with a heavy Stoner/Fuzz/Desert/Hard Rock offering that's gonna leave the Stoner Rock community begging for more.

Can you remember a time when Queens Of The Stone Age used to write classic Stoner Rock/Hard Rock song with albums like Rated R and Songs For The Deaf before they went too commercial. Well Bison Machine take that early QOTSA Stoner Rock energy and combine it with FUZZ, Hard Rock and good time Desert Rock vibes. They still have their own identity as the band offer cosmic spacey riffs as well. The album opens up with – Cosmic Ark – a track full of passionate riffs and vocals that sees Bison Machine in confident mood exploring some interesting ideas not seen on their earlier releases.

Second track – Old Moon – is the albums standout track as Bison Machine throw everything at you to survive from. Vocalist Tom is on fine form through out as Bison Machine venture into psych rock territory. It's a heavy trippy journey with Bison Machine not leaving anything to chance. The emotionally charged riffs has a 70's Hard-Rock vibe that will leave you in a hypnotic trance.

Third track – Gamekeeper's Thumb – is another standout track which sees Bison Machine in a more reflective mood. It's a song full of sadness and heartbreak that will leave you emotionally drained. Wait until the epic riffs kick in as Bison Machine unleash some classic space rock/stoner rock riffs to impress you with once again. John on guitar duties lays down some incredible licks here as things get very heavy indeed around the 4th minute mark.

Fourth Track – Viking Hand – is the albums more straightforward stoner rock song as it's harks back to the classic age of Stoner Rock where the band played for the love of the music. And that's what you get with Viking Hand. Bison Machine playing the music they love and to the bands that inspired them. It has excellent fast-paced riffs and impressive vocals from Tom yet again.

Now do you get the picture of how great this album really is. I don't want to spoil anything else for you. If you're new to the world of Bison Machine then you're in for a treat. These guys will become your favourite new band. That's how good they are. I have been a fan for a few years now and they never disappoint me. Hoarfrost has the potential to be one of the best Stoner Rock debut albums of 2015. 

And that's why it's my BandCamp Album Of The Week. Hoarfrost is a must have album. Headover to BandCamp and download this now. Donate if you can as these guys are going places. Self-Released Vinyl version due out in Spring 2015 as well as a German pressing through Bilocation Records in Berlin.

Brilliant. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

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