Review
Alright, strap in folks: King Buffalo's 2016 album "Orion" doesn’t just flirt with genres; it throws ‘em in a blender and hits max speed. We’re talking doom metal meets stoner rock, colliding with blues and psychedelic vibes in nine tracks that genuinely take you for a ride. These self-releasing mavericks have concocted something that isn't just offbeat—it's bloody immersive.
The title track "Orion" kicks things off with a six-minute odyssey of heavy, distorted riffs and vocals that grab you by the collar. It perfectly blends urgency and trippy, complex layers, followed by "Monolith,” which hooks you in with pounding rhythms and infectious licks that’ll stay lodged in your brain. You can't skip these two; their intensity sets the pace.
In the middle stretch, you’ve got "Sleeps On A Vine," ghostly enough to haunt your blues-loving heart, countered by the high-octane "Kerosene" with its searing riff. The second act doesn't let up either; "Down From Sky" and "Goliath" rock out with a mix of weight and melody that has you continuously guessing what's next.
Closing out with the monumental "Drinking From The River Rising," it’s a nine-minute crescendo that wraps up all the album’s themes in a powerful, drawn-out finish. Vivid, raucous, and downright engaging, "Orion" proves that King Buffalo aren’t just playing music—they're crafting epic sagas. For any stoner rock or doom metal devotee, this album isn't just a "should-listen"; it's an absolute necessity. - Chase
