Buzzov•en
...At a Loss

Necessary premise: there is only one man whose review could form a genuine symbiotic bond with this album, and that man is the excellent Nes. Yes, because "...At A Loss" is the perfect album for those who love (proper) cream-filled cannoli to the point of doubling over, for those who occasionally feel the irrepressible urge to pleasure themselves followed by intense self-satisfaction, and especially for those who think Amon Amarth should only play during the Swedish carnival. But I know that Nes prefers to move in slightly more stoner territories. And so I take it upon myself, even though I've never smoked a single cigarette in my life (I can already hear you... "idiot... jerk!"), I only pleasure myself in the name of prostate cancer prevention, and before my evening reading of the Edda, I take the poster of Johan Hegg and kiss it on the mouth. But I'll try.

To be honest, I've already told you almost everything that matters. About Buzzov°en: they're from North Carolina, they liked cannoli so much that they robbed pastry shops, together with Eyehategod they defined that mix of distorted, gritty guitar attacks and tortured vocals known as Sludge metal. About the album: I believe that, maybe even in the intentions of Buzzov°en, during the sample that introduces each song, you should take a nice hit, and of good herbs: only then can you have a truly full and engaging experience. Only that way, while trying to listen to the incredible cover of "Don't Bring Me Down" by the Electric Light Orchestra, at some point you'll seem to perceive Oasis in Sludge sauce (I know, it's nonsense, but you'll have eight hits behind you, eh). Only that way can you also enjoy the half-hour of psychotropic noise following "Left Behind": stuff that a sober person would ask "Oh what is this crap? The undead's hardcore techno?".

I have nothing more to add. Those who do not intend to follow the orthodox method of enjoying "...At A Loss," nevertheless, to get into the atmosphere should pay attention to two elements: Travis Bickle who, right after we've pressed "play," talks to us about the human creatures that rise at night, and the cover. An alligator brutally killed with a cross with its snout immersed in a swamp (more Sludge than that) under the light of a ruthless moon. After all, as someone said in his time, the cover SAYS IT ALL.

(here)