Regenerator. King Buffalo

King Buffalo is a band that is on my radar now for a few years, but never really caught on. This changed with its recently released album Regenerator. Not so much because of the band doing something different, no, more that the previous live album sort of paved the way for my brain to adapt. And it has.

The trio from Rochester in up state New York releases all its records at home in the U.S. itself, here in Europe through the German Stickman label. The new release comes with a prolific list of tour dates, so you have every chance to see King Buffalo in your neighbourhood.

Musically the band can be placed in the hardrock segment with clear influences from symphonic rock, metal and some psychedelia. Always on the verge of shredding the song apart, to presenting beautiful melodic sequences. Lyrics are not a necessity but always there as a part of a long composition. With a song called 'Interlude' clocking in at nearly three minutes, it gives you an idea of the length of songs. Two of over nine minutes! That is not Motorpsycho length but the comparison with the Norwegians' work(ethic) is allowed to be made.

King Buffalo is a trio with two members doubling on synths, singer, guitarist Sean McVay and bassist Dan Reynolds, and finally drummer Scott Donaldson. Naturally the singer and guitarist draws the most attention, as he gets to play all the earcatching specialities. In a trio setting there is however a huger role than ever for the other two, as there is no hiding for McVay and nothing behind him without Reynolds and Donaldson. And all songs make that abundantly clear. This is a backing in the best of the power trio's of old tradition.

While the synths and organs, not to mention the many overdubs of guitars, pump up the sound to at time huge proportions, King Buffalo creates a huge challenge: how to play all this live as a trio? Not, the band's live album proved to be a trance invoking experience. Thus it will be for the songs on Regenerator.

The song I really want to put the spotlight on is 'Mammoth'. It reminds me of Uriah Heep of old, because of the organ mostly. This is a song that starts as a mid-tempo rock song but slowly but surely expands to other levels. Not once, but continuously. The organ joins and guitar upon guitar adding another solo and sound. Because of this the song stands out on the album, as it is different. The upscaling is achieved by melody and not brutal force.

Regenerator starts almost as a classic symphony, to be interrupted by a pumping guitar riff followed by a tight drumbeat. The first solo is the lead guitar with something like a phaser and wah wah effect colouring the whole, while the beat forever continues. After another verse, McVay goes off exploring the title song's inner and outer crevices. This is what I would call classic King Buffalo.

If you like this combination of a tight rhythm section and an exploring guitarist setting the song on fire, dousing it only to set it alight once again, King Buffalo is your band. Myself, I certainly like to step along the route for quite awhile.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order Regenerator here:

https://kingbuffalo.bandcamp.com/