At the start of “Children of War” the request is made to “let’s forget about/ let’s forget about the 60s/ because there’s more/ going down right now.” Well, this hard-rocking trio out of Cincinnati certainly makes that proposition awfully tough to accomplish because their music sounds like they grew up only able to pick up a classic rock station on the radio. The influence of the genre’s many artists upon them is pervasive throughout their debut album, simulating a mixtape put together by that guy on your dorm floor with the four-foot bong and the painted designs on his ceiling only seen with the aid of a black light. Buffalo Killers are three-fifths of defunct band Thee Shams. The trio are the brothers Gabbard, Andrew on lead guitar and Zachary on bass, joined by Joseph Sebaali on drums.
“San Martine Des Morelle” & “SS Nowhere” sound like records The Beatles made after they smoked pot with Dylan. Psychedelic but with a harder bluesy sound like Cream. The rhythm section keeps a steady beat on “San Martine” while Andrew’s guitar wah-wahs throughout, almost creating a backing vocal. “SS Nowhere” combines the rough edge of Lennon with the harmonies of McCartney. A solid bass line makes itself known and the guitar sings out and tears it up when given room.
“Heavens Are You” is a slow, smoldering Led Zeppelin blues. The guitar solo on the bridge brings to mind Jimmy Page from “Since I’ve Been Loving You” or “Tea For One.” But there’s no time to rest as “The Path Before Me” rocks hard again, bringing to mind classic Stones. The lyrics are spat out defiantly in a rough voice. A slide kicks in on the guitar, delivering Southern rock flavor and the tune really takes off.
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