BISON — Dark Ages (review)

BISON — Dark Ages album cover Album · 2010 · Sludge Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Pelata
Canada’s Bison B.C. return with their second full-length for Metal Blade Records and, after a few spins, the band members seem to have outdone themselves. This record carries everything up a notch… the Doomy atmospheres, the stomping Stoner grooves, the intricate arrangements and the impressive musicianship. There is no holding back, no simplifying, no softening up under the guise of “broadening their fanbase”. These guys do what they do and you either like it or you don’t.

“Two-Day Booze” just comes in ripping the doors off with it’s harmonized guitar intro before diving into a beastly groove… loads of aggression in this one. “Take The Next Exit” shows a little thrash metal influence with it’s neck-snapping opening riff before the Pink-ish verse kicks in. In fact, a lot of the vocals have a very Punk-like vibe about them, but run from screaming growls to angsty yelling. The 8-minute-plus opening track “Stressed Elephant” is simply superb. Some of the parts of this songs remind me of some of the more modern, post-metal bands like Isis or Irepress… that sonic wall guitar tone and the suffocating riffs… but with a tad more groove about it. “Fear Cave” offers more weighty, doom-laden madness with thrashy, head-banging moments thrown in for good measure.

All in all, I’d say Dark Ages is a more than worthy follow up to Quiet Earth. I love it and will find myself spinning it often, no doubt. Seek it out… it will be worth whatever it takes for you to own it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to punish myself incessantly for missing their show w/ High On Fire in 2010.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Hin helga kvöl Atmospheric Sludge Metal
SÓLSTAFIR
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Cycles of Suffering Black Metal
BURIAL OATH
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Suns of Perdition - Chapter IV: To Shadow Zion Black Metal
PANZERFAUST
Buy this album from MMA partners
Facilis Descensus Averno Death Metal
SAEVUS FINIS
Buy this album from MMA partners
Merciless Crossover Thrash
BODY COUNT
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

DAWN OF REVENGE - Sanctuary [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Farewell [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Curtain of Death - [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Vengeance [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - I Need You [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed