Bison, Bison - ST

Bison, Bison is a hard driving stoner rock band whose singer's subject matter and lazy and slightly mournful vocal delivery displays an influence of mid 00s indie rock, most evidently on the album opener "She Says".  Far as I know it's the only metal song I've heard all year that mentions dancing, at least in a social context ("she says that I can't dance").  It can be a bit jarring at first, but probably only because of genre-limiting expectations.

The band rocks hard and doesn't let up from beginning to end, crashing and banging through track after banging track.  "Rivertown" slows things just a bit, but still offers plenty of crash and bang and establishes a nice groove over which a sing-song-y chorus is lazily chanted.  Though it strays slightly from a good formula, it`s probably the standout track on the CD.  Other highlights include "Waiting for Saturn" and "Sweetish" which is built around a great 70s riff which recalls both drug-era Aerosmith and Black Sabbath`s "War Pigs" and is can`t miss.  There`s a nice psychedelic rush of swirling guitars and atmospherics leading back into the main riff towards the end of the track which makes for a great closer and leaves the listener excited for what`s to come from this band in the future.

By the time a half hour has passed the band has established a unique voice that the listener will want to revisit.

At $7 on their bandcamp page, the CD version of the album makes "The Price is Nice" list and is worth picking up.

Reminds me of: Black Pyramid (Beresky era), Black Sabbath, Summoner, Sweet Love

My Rating: 4/5



From: Portland, Oregon

Genre: Stoner, Hard Rock

Tracklist
1). She Says (4:07)
2). Blood & Sand (2:42)
3). Waiting for Saturn (4:18)
4). Concave (5:20)
5). Rivertown (6:33)
6). Sweetish (7:06)
Total Run Time: 30:00

Release Date: August 30, 2012

Suggested listening activity for fellow non-stoners: Rolling down hills in shopping carts