Heavy Buffalo - The Fusionist

Heavy Buffalo

The Fusionist 
self-released; 2014

3.8 out of 5

By Ethan Skelton

Heavy Buffalo is mysteriously sexy and has a kind of revolution to them. Those vocals on their album The Fusionist sounds like the commands of a dictator over a megaphone while the instruments are charged with revolt and the hint of tri-tones. Lyrically, it’s bluesy and psychedelic to a point up until the guitars routinely take over and the choruses shake with raw power. 

I thought of Rage Against The Machine several times as I listened and “Honey On The Backroads” reinforced my inclination. About three quarters of the way through the guitar goes into mad scientist mode and squeals out some fantastic atonal wandering a la Tom Morello. I knew it was only a matter of time. Generally, this kind of music attracts the free thinkers and the folk on the other side of the tracks. I’ll include myself in this subgroup and I do it with pride. There’s something about this band that is more than meets the eye.

“Alkaloid” is significantly less boisterous and more grooving; something that gives this album new ground and wider footing. On “The Killing Type” we hear a slow blues outline with dancing yet square drums and the evocative threat in that hook of which the song is named. This track could really take off with some no holds barred instrumentation at the end. I’m talking solos, big cymbals and more reaching delivery. It doesn’t quite make the three-minute mark as it is and I love me some extended jams. 

The Fusionist isn’t one dimensional by any means and I think that’s especially important when the title itself references fusion. Musical fusion can mean a lot of things and in this case it’s not a technical application but more an emotive one. Rock launches, blues deepen and psychedelic is the spice that keeps it interesting. None of those three aspects are overused or underused, which only makes it even harder to really classify. Sometimes The Fusionist sounds slack while other times it’s bursting with power. Chalk that up to songwriting and detailed attention to mood. Try out The Fusionist for yourself and see what happens. You might be surprised.

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