In this special crossover episode, we’re spotlighting Buffalo’s 1973 Volcanic Rock—a raw, proto-metal gem that helped shape the sound of 80s Metal and 90s Rock. With primal riffs and fearless energy, Buffalo laid the groundwork for the heaviness embraced by bands like Metallica and Soundgarden.
Picture it: the airwaves dominated by Dark Side of the Moon, Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy, and Sabbath’s Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. Rock was entering its teenage years, shedding its innocence for something darker, more primal. Halfway around the world, Australia was a raw, untamed frontier where danger lurked in every shadow. Venomous creatures, desolate outback stretches, and a wild, unrelenting spirit shaped the people and their art. It was here, in this harsh and unpredictable landscape, that Buffalo unleashed their sophomore album, Volcanic Rock, on Vertigo Records. Like the searing sun, it scorched a path for heavy music, standing defiantly alongside its better-known contemporaries.
Buffalo was no Zeppelin or Sabbath knockoff. This Brisbane-to-Sydney transplant created their own blend of bluesy grit and proto-metal menace. Formed initially as “Head,” their pivot to Buffalo was guided by a manager who believed that bands starting with “B” (Beatles, Beach Boys) were bound for success. A dart on a map landed on Buffalo, and thus began a name and sound etched in volcanic fury.
Heavy as Hell, Raw as the Outback
Volcanic Rock lived up to its name—primitive, thunderous, and unpredictable. With Dave Tice’s raw vocal delivery leading the charge, and guitarist John Baxter’s primal riffage painting sonic landscapes, the album combined blues-rock roots with a proto-doom intensity that felt otherworldly. Songs like “Freedom” deliver nine-minute odysseys, meandering through psychedelic jam territory before crashing back into riff-laden crescendos.
Yet, the record wasn’t just music—it was spectacle. Its controversial cover art—a volcano shaped like a female torso spewing lava—reflected the wild creativity and raw edge of the band’s ethos. It was shocking then and remains iconic now, an image as bold as the sound within.
Misfits in a Golden Age
Despite their innovative sound, Buffalo never quite broke through. Opening for heavyweights like Black Sabbath and Rainbow, they faced the mischief of tour mates like Ritchie Blackmore, who infamously sabotaged their set. Still, they soldiered on, creating an album that influenced generations of grunge, stoner rock, and doom metal—long before the labels existed.
But Buffalo’s story is also one of commercial failure and creative frustration. Pushed by their label to pivot toward radio-friendly fare, they resisted, choosing instead to blaze their own trail. By the time their final album, Average Rock ’n’ Roller, hit shelves in 1977, the band was running on fumes. Yet, Volcanic Rock remains their defining statement, a timeless blueprint for heavy rock adventurers.
The Legacy: Why Volcanic Rock Still Matters
So why revisit Volcanic Rock in 2025? Because it’s an artifact of pure, unadulterated rock energy—a raw, imperfect gem that prefigures everything from Kyuss to Queens of the Stone Age. Its primal simplicity, coupled with its audacious ambition, captures the essence of a time when rock was still dangerous.
Want to know more? Dive into the latest episode of the Dig Me Out podcast, where we explore Buffalo’s story in greater detail. From the album’s creation to its lasting influence, it’s an in-depth discussion you won’t want to miss. Stream Volcanic Rock, then tune in to our episode to join the conversation and rediscover the molten core of 70s hard rock.
Songs in this Episode:
* Intro - Intro: Pound of Flesh
* 22:21 - The Prophet
* 28:28 - Freedom
* 32:01 - Shylock
* 52:44 - Sunrise (Come My Way) - Dave Tice's Buffalo Revisited
* Outro - 'Til My Death
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