When King Buffalo put out their early-2018 EP Repeater (review here) ahead of their second full-length, Longing to Be the Mountain (review here), it was an opportunity for the Rochester trio to explore new ideas and adventure into what at the time was new sonic terrain for the band. To try new things and introduce their audience to the same. It smoothed the transition between 2016’s Orion (review here) and the follow-up LP, and complemented both works.

Their new “short release,” Dead Star, is more substantial. As in, it’s 36 minutes long. From where I sit, that’s an album one way or the other, and certainly the flow of its six tracks bears that out as well. But the function is similar to Repeater in that King Buffalo once again embrace their creative drive in an open and exciting way. The six songs of Dead Star are thrillingly progressive, taking on aspects of synth and new textures and atmospheres that enrich the band’s core melodies and grooves so as to broaden their scope and make them all the more engrossing. Beginning with the 16-minute pair “Dead Star Pt. 1 & 2,” and running through the finale closing track, Dead Star works to push the boundaries of expectation of what King Buffalo can accomplish as a band, and thereby accomplishes them as well.

Preorders go up later this week, and they’ve got tour dates and a track streaming as of next week. Official release of Dead Star is March 20 and I’m hoping to have more to come as we get closer to then.

In the meantime, here’s a press release I kind of wrote:

King Buffalo Announce their 4th EP “Dead Star” and 2020 Tour Dates

King Buffalo will release their fourth EP, Dead Star, on March 20. The widely-hailed progressive heavy rock trio from Western New York will stream the single “Eta Carinae” Jan. 28 from the six-song, 36-minute release now via Bandcamp with preorders available at kingbuffalo.bigcartel.com on Jan. 24. Extensive tour dates will follow.

Their most brazenly experimental offering to-date, Dead Star will self-release throughout North America and see European issue via Stickman Records.

Self-recorded in late 2019 and early 2020 by guitarist/vocalist Sean McVay, bassist Dan Reynolds and drummer Scott Donaldson, Dead Star continues to push King Buffalo’s psychedelic aspects deep into the cosmic ether, and basks in elements of ambient drone, space rock, prog, mantra-style heavy and synthesizer soundtracking, as well as the bluesy, classic riffing and creative urgency that has underscored their particular style since their 2013 demo and 2016 debut album, Orion. A depth of mix comes courtesy of Grant Husselman, while Bernie Matthews mastered.

“In the early stages of Dead Star, we made the decision to make a strong commitment to experimentation,” explains guitarist/vocalist Sean McVay. “From exploring different time signatures, tunings and textures, to tweaking the song writing processes themselves. We’re extremely proud of these recordings, and feel it’s some of our most ambitious work yet.”

King Buffalo’s discography includes two full-length albums, Orion (2016) and Longing to Be the Mountain (2018), as well as three prior EPs – 2013’s Demo, a 12” split with Le Bétre in 2015, and 2018’s Repeater.

Dead Star continues the risk-taking that fueled Repeater, honoring the core dynamic of King Buffalo as a band while boldly introducing new ideas and sides of their sound to their audience.

Recent years have found King Buffalo touring throughout North America and Europe, with highlight festival performances, support slots and headlining shows, and they bring that experience to the songwriting of Dead Star’s six tracks, be it the sprawling two-part leadoff “Red Star Pt. 1 & 2” or the John Carpenter-esque instrumental “Ecliptic” ahead of the chug-and-crash-prone “Eta Carinae.” All the while King Buffalo maintain a flow and atmosphere that has served as a hallmark of their approach.

“These six songs deviate and expand on horizons that we as King Buffalo haven’t yet reached,” says drummer Scott Donaldson, who also handled the graphic layout of Dead Star with Ryan T. Hancock’s striking cover art. “It’s extremely exciting to make something familiar, but unlike anything we’ve previously done. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”

Vinyl Details:

Test Press – Limited to 20, hand numbered, and ship mid-February. Includes a download code of the Deluxe version, poly bag, a signed “thank you” from the band with wax seal, an exclusive poster and hand numbered insert.

Deluxe Edition – Limited to 250 units and pressed to 12″ Black and White Vinyl. The Deluxe Edition includes a polybag, a hand numbered insert, and audio commentary by the band. A One-Time Only pressing. They’ll be shipped as soon as mid-March.

Standard Edition – Limited to 750 units and pressed to 12″ Bone White Vinyl. They include a polybag and download code.

Written and recorded by King Buffalo in Rochester, NY at the Main Street Armory in December of 2019 & January 2020.

All arrangements by King Buffalo (c) 2019

Produced & Engineered by Sean McVay

Mixed by Grant Husselman

Mastered by Bernie Matthews

Artwork by Ryan T Hancock

Fonts by Mike Turzanski

Layout by Scott Donaldson

Dead Star Track list:

Red Star Pt. 1

Red Star Pt. 2

Echo of a Waning Star

Ecliptic

Eta Carinae

Dead Star

Tour Dates:

1/31 Montreal, QC @ Le Ministere

2/1 Ottawa, ON @ Dominion Tavern

3/19 Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground

3/20 Boston, MA @ Great Scott

3/21 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge

3/26 Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar

3/27 Milwaukee, WI @ Colectivo

3/28 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry

3/29 Winnipeg, MB @ Park Theatre

3/31 Calgary, AB @ Palomino

4/2 Vancouver, BC @ Fox Cabaret

4/3 Seattle, WA @ Barboza

4/5 Portland, OR @ Lola’s Room

4/7 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill

4/8 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo

4/10 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge

4/11 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge

4/13 Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room

4/14 St Louis, MO @ Duck Room

4/15 Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar

4/16 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern

4/17 Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Café

4/18 Syracuse, NY @ Funk N Waffles

King Buffalo is:

Sean McVay – Guitar, Vocals, & Synth

Dan Reynolds – Bass & Synth

Scott Donaldson – Drums & Percussion

kingbuffalo.com

facebook.com/kingbuffaloband

instagram.com/kingbuffaloband

kingbuffalo.bandcamp.com

stickman-records.com

facebook.com/Stickman-Records-1522369868033940

King Buffalo, Longing to be the Mountain (2018)

Longing To Be The Mountain by King Buffalo