Bronco - S/T Review • Strah

I will not deny that I am not really fond of Doom Metal. Most of times the shoegazed mood bothers me, but I do like the tones of the – most of times – low tuned rhythm guitars that contrast with the guitar leads. For me, this extreme low tune gives the highlight to the high tune of the guitar solos. From where I am standing, the best Doom Metal bands are the ones that do not follow this doomy formula. For instance, it amazes me the most, for example, what happens “Light of God” with its midtempo guitars and Cirith Ungol’s vocals. By the way, to whom it may concern, Cirith Ungol are one of the bands that influenced a lot modern Doom Metal bands. Clearly, some hidden or not hidden details uncover Bronco’s sung or unsung taste for the band.

Unfortunately, Bronco were born out of a tragedy as they rose from the ashes of Toke after guitarist Tim Bryan suffered a tragic motorcycle accident in 2021. Out of respect for his incapacitated band mate, vocalist and bass player Bronco along with drummer JP decided to continue with a newly formed trio. Joined by guitarist Vic, they picked Bronco’s artist’s alias for their name.

The pull up “Legion” receives from the contrast between the low tune of the rhythm guitars and the high tune of the leads is really something that calls the eye. “Legion” is also responsible for one of the biggest plot twists I have ever heard when they added some flavor to their cooking adding some Black Sabbath’s swing to it using the offbeats as a major tool.

However, even with the most doomy band, there are always surprises. “Night the Lights Went out in Georgia” surprises the fan with delicate textures in the arrangement which goes away from the standard. The way Bronco deal with the cadence ups and downs is really something to be always reminded. To some extent, it’s something like giving a romantic poem a Metal wrapping maintaining the delicate lines and, at the same time, giving it the hard treat of Metal. Maybe the best song of the album.

“Bronco” surprised me in many ways because the band was able to slightly skip the formula by giving it some features which made it not that standard. But, make no mistake, “Bronco” is Doom Metal to the bone. Doom Metal hardcore fans will love it for sure, maybe not for the same reasons I did, but who cares.

Bronco “Bronco” will be released on February 28th via Magnetic Eye Records.

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