Echo Scale ★★★★ (4.3)
Formed in 2014 in the rugged belly of Fife, Scotland, Buzzards of Babylon are less a band and more a “fuzz-drenched wrecking crew serving up groove-laden stoner rock with the force of a bar brawl in a burning pub.” With a self-titled debut EP and their full-length album Micrometeoroid Modulation already under their belt – having carved out a name with thunderous performances that feel more like rituals than gigs – 2025 sees them back in action. Following their latest single, “Molten Bigfoot” (a “thick, sludgy stomp through the smoke and static—equal parts chaos, groove, and glorious fuzz”), “Ancient Machine” arrives as their second offering this year. If you think Sabbath riffs soaked in lager, Clutch-style swagger, and the chaotic charm of a desert cult that forgot the sunscreen, you’re precisely in their sonic territory.
The Unholy Groove Unleashed
The track detonates with big impactful guitars that waste no time in asserting their presence, leading directly into what can only be described as a juicy, juicy bassline! And that bass tone! Holy cow, it’s beautiful. Seriously, this is the kind of low-end rumble that might just make your underpants feel a little moist, in the most appreciative way possible. You can really see that QOTSA influence throughout the song, not just in those big saturated guitars, but also in the vocals. Dragonius Maximus’s delivery, while it might not be everyone’s personal taste, genuinely smashes it for the genre, cutting through everything with a clear, impactful voice that makes itself heard. This is mega impactful stuff.
Artful Riffs & Flawless Execution
From a songwriting perspective, “Ancient Machine” checks every single box for that Stonery/Alt rock vibe they’re sitting in. The entire song possesses an undeniable swagger, swing, and sounds enormous. That central, big thematic riff you hear throughout the song, is a stroke of genius. It’s nothing fancy or clever, mind you, but it’s incredibly catchy, and fills every gap in the song. This is precisely the sort of riff that makes your fans want to learn to play it, and let’s be honest, writing that kind of riff is a real art form.
Instrumental Dominance & Sonic Precision
Which brings us to the guitar work: no frills, no bullshit, just big riffs, big sound, and an ear for an exquisite tone. There really isn’t much more to say; the guitar work is the highlight of the song for me. It’s a highlight that has close competition in that bass guitar. It sounds funky, it sounds fat and groovy while sounding genuinely heavy; it is all things to all people, phenomenal.
In terms of drums, they aren’t doing anything here to make Neil Peart jealous, but that’s entirely the point. They’re providing a great sounding, full-bodied kit with loads of attack and impact, played perfectly to serve the song. This is the essence of mature songwriting. The track is paced really well and knows exactly what it is throughout—even when it takes a decidedly thrashy turn towards the end. Even the production is bang on for the genre in every which way it can be. Honestly, this could easily be any song in the Alternative Rock charts 20 years ago.
The Familiarity Conundrum
But, and here’s the slightly awkward truth that even a “fuzz-drenched wrecking crew” can’t entirely escape, it’s exactly that which I think is this song’s weakest link. Is it a bit generic? Despite all its considerable strengths and the band’s history of “thunderous performances,” I don’t feel any individuality or emotion poured into this one. I’m worried it’s more of an attempt to sound like their influences than to create something truly unique. It’s a fantastic execution of a known formula, but perhaps the ‘ritual’ needs a new chant.
The Verdict
In conclusion: This is a must listen for fans of the genre, boasting big impressive vocals, guitar and bass tone to make your underpants moist, and a really well-constructed song. Buzzards of Babylon clearly have the chops, the ‘thuggish bangers’ in their back catalogue, and the taste for creating colossal soundscapes. With a run of Scottish shows ahead and a mission to shake walls, melt minds, and possibly blow a speaker or two, they are indeed coming in loud, loose, and gloriously unhinged. I just wonder if they need to pour a bit more of themselves into it next time. Perhaps the machine is ancient enough; now it’s time for some new, unique components that only the Buzzards can forge.
