Review: Bronco ‘Bronco’

The dirging, grinding doomy sludge of North Carolinians Bronco and their debut self-titled record seems to be birthed from the state itself, such is the underrated and rich history of that areas sludge and doom scene. You’re probably familiar with the likes of Sourvein and Weedeater, and it is from this fertile yet stony ground that Bronco arise, born from the ashes of a previous band Toke. This heavy trio have just released this self-titled album through Magnetic Eye Records and look to join their state brothers in doomy legend.

Opener Scourge Descent is a bruiser, leading you in gently with a bluesy lead and a warping bassline before the big riffs kick in. The grim swagger of guitarist Vic‘s riffs are intoxicating and eponymous band leader Bronco‘s strained roar is born of deep, deep Southern sludge and doom. The swooning doom riffs, with just the right taste of fuzzy distortion and groaning groove, feel spawned of the earth itself.

Southern doom has always had a real down-to-earth, primal feel to it, and Bronco are no different. There’s nothing polished here as tracks like Light Of God and Legion sound like they are being played in the back of some dive bar basement to a hundred weed-addled fans. I mean that in the best way possible by the way, there’s something that feels so pure about it that it is a blissful feeling.

That raspy scream coupled with the distorted riffs and pounding drums is heavy music in its formative, primal years and it is intoxicating…

Scratchy, lumbering doom with a sludgy blues edge, like an unvarnished Crowbar, best summed up in the low-down dirty groove of Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia. That raspy scream coupled with the distorted riffs and pounding drums is heavy music in its formative, primal years and it is intoxicating.

There’s a simple joy to be had when faced with an album like Bronco; the simple joy of having big heavy riffs blasted at you by a band who know exactly what you’re after. There are so many little touchstones to other doom and Southern sludge bands hidden in here, but Bronco focus on the obvious bits and the great bits; it is about having big riffs, surprising hooks and plenty of grit.

Bronco is just what we needed to blow the winter away and start us on the trail back to a hot southern summer of sludge. A killer doom record for these boys, and hopefully just the first of many to come.

Label: Magnetic Eye Records
Band Links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram

Scribed by: Sandy Williamson