Band : Bison B.C.

Album Title : Quiet Earth

Label : Metal Blade Records

Distributor : Rough Trade Records

Release Date : 13/10/2008

Release : CD

Bison B.C. is a Canadian band from Vancouver. They released their second album entitled “Quiet Earth”. Skate punk guitar player James Farwell is now bringing undeniably metal. This album contains a variety of songs ranging from slow and boring to fast and repetitious. A song like "Medication" stand out for being a refreshing mix of classic and contemporary metal. The album tries to be everything at once, which results in an overcrowded feeling characterizing some of its songs. Unfortunately, most metal fans may be let down by this compilation of overachieving but underwhelming tracks. Mixing musical genres and influences can be problematic in many cases. “Wendigo Pt. 1” is by far the most progressive song on this album. It begins with a repeated cello and violin motif that is taken over by a heavy guitar, bass and drum onslaught. The tempo shifts up to high speed thrashing, building up tension, until settling into a heavy and slow doom breakdown. It’s an epic journey through sound escapes. But overall their sound is not overly nostalgic though. This is because they are similar enough to other contemporary progressive bands like Mastodon or The Sword.  And you can put them somewhere between relentless, technical metal and foreboding stoner rock. A good attempt, but without satisfaction.

70/100

Guido Claes.