King Buffalo: Live Review-Orion

I recently had the chance to catch up with our brothers from Rochester, New York, King Buffalo at Pittsburgh's own Club Cafe. Freeing myself from the mundane activities of a Tuesday evening for the enigmatic efforts of the New York natives I was treated to live cuts off of their freshman LP entitled Orion. A name fitting the spacey and psychedelic aura that has enshrined the trio since the falling of their 2013 Demo EP. If you have yet to spin said demo, do yourself a favor, scroll back a few words and click the link. Tunes like Pocket Full of Knife and Providence Eye don't just fall into your lap every day. The dreamy licks and spiraling rhythmic swirl of Providence Eye where near masterpiece material. Any fan of heavy psychedelia won't need too many spins to find that Orion is up to the task of satisfying those moist ears.

Orion delivers a psychedelic-punch that few modern day rock bands can deliver. Throughout the evening the Pittsburgh fans enjoyed Sean's guitar devotion and distortion pedal mastery which evoked a by-gone era of guitar virtuosos. Sure, there are tons of excellent guitar players out there, many that can incorporate the very same things with the right amount of distortion, but Sean and King Buffalo just let it come from the heart... and that my friends it what sets them apart. Scott and Dan's work pulse through the bodies very fibers, raising the hair on the sonically intoxicated listeners. Soaring higher, Orion's sub-structure of songs melds and fuses with one another building into an euphoric frenzy that complete the record. Subsequent listens only allow the listener to realize the immense growth King Buffalo have achieved throughout these recent years. Not only is it apparent throughout Orion, but even more so during a live set.

Orion is due out August 5th and can be purchased here. Pick up a copy and immerse your auditory cortex in King Buffalo's space-blues caravan or catch them on tour!

Members:
Scott Donaldson - Drums // Vocals
Sean McVay "Uranium Jesus" - Guitar // Synth // Lead Vocals
Dan Reynolds - Bass // Synth



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Nuclear Dog's Atomic Split: Larman Clamor - "Alligator Heart" / Alice Tambourine Lover - "Star Rovers"

Today, and end of the year treat, showcasing two albums that take a different tack from the norm perhaps, but still manage to provide a spiritually uplifting metal experience by mixing some funky, fuzzy, and furious blues, some expertly crafted melodies, a breathing, tangible atmosphere, and incredible passion in execution when laying down the cobalt riffs conjured for their respective albums. This music will likely take you down paths you might not ordinarily go, delivering a stunning and unexpected experience along the way. Here, at the end of a brilliant rock n roll year for the fuzzier strains of music the world over, I present to you the deep blue delicious melodies of Larman Clamor and Alice Tambourine Lover.
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LARMAN CLAMOR - "ALLIGATOR HEART"

Surely there are but a few of the world's billion artists that happen to be in possession of more than one valid means of expressing their yearning need to interpret the universe. The master craftsman behind Larman Clamor happens to be one of those rare and gifted artists. Alexnder von Wieding might be best known for the phenomenal artwork he has contributed to the world of heavy metal, including the moody, swamp gas infused composition he has placed on the cover of this second album release on Small Stone Records, "Alligator Heart", but, working strictly solo, he has crafted a fine collection of blues riff fueled tracks that mine the depths of emotion and electricity in equal and emphatic measure. Striking powerful, deep blues licks to go along with his rough around the edges sharecroppers vocal delivery he manages to elicit a lot of smoky, dark atmosphere in tune perfectly with his penchant for well crafted melodies. Von Wieding manages to play it heavy with tracks like "Banshee W'Me" and "She Sent Her Hounds", conjuring hot and sweaty visions of futility and despair with tracks such as "Done No Good" and "Been Cookin'", as well as inspirational, spiritual experiences with songs like "I'm Building Ruins". On each song is the hand of a meticulous mason, crafting deep, distorted threads of varying licks that interwine beautifully to create intriguing tunes of guile and depth, emotional to the bone, and managing to satisfy that sticky sweet yearning for blues that lies at the base of most of what we love musically.



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ALICE TAMBOURINE LOVER - "STAR ROVERS"

When first hearing Alice Tambourine Lover's music you catch a bluesy, Americana sound that has gargantuan riffs of blues magic woven in and around subtle but charming psychedelic licks and fuzzy desert melodies.The fuzz on this record is ingenious in its subtlety, yet powerful in presence, engendering power cycles of enormous magnitude managing never to overwhelm, instead creating an atmosphere of physicality and immense satisfaction. Guitarist Alice Albertazzi combines her mastery of the blues and her dulcet, angelic vocals with melodies of exquisite, whimsical adventure. Bassist and dobro wielder extraordinaire Gianfranco Romanelli gives power and grace to the magical melodies, driving them toward amplified glory up and down the entire album track. The songs are sweet and awe inspiring, wrapped tightly with a huge fuzzy blanket of riff and resonation. Tracks like "Digging This Song", "Temptation", and "Between Cupid's Lip" are uptempo and crunchy pleasure rides showcasing mastery and evolution of the blues riff. Sweet songs such as "Venus" and "Falling Deep Inside" haunt deeply, cajoling emotion from deep, personal sources. A trippier, psychedelic experience is to be had on "Gipsy Mind" and "Rainy Rainy".

This duo from Bologna are supremely gifted artists who place a significant metal imprimatur on "Star Rovers" with dexterous, intelligent guitar riffs of exquisite beauty and significant heart.







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