Volcanic Rock [Bonus Tracks]

About Volcanic Rock [Bonus Tracks]

Volcanic Rock is the second studio album by Australian proto-heavy metal band Buffalo, recorded and originally released in 1973 on the Vertigo label. The album was stylistically a much harder, heavier and rawer release than its predecessor (Dead Forever...) – marking a move away from the band's previous progressive rock influences, although retaining a psychedelic element to their sound. Volcanic Rock had been recorded effectively as a live-in-the-studio effort, with only vocal and additional guitar overdubs added later during the recording sessions. The album courted controversy with its cover artwork upon its release. Illustrated by J. Phillip Thomas, the artwork was designed as a vertically opening gatefold cover, with the top half of the cover (i.e. the front cover) depicting an androgynous human standing atop a volcanic mountain holding up a phallus-shaped rock, whilst the lower half of the cover (i.e. rear cover) depicted the base of the mountain as the lower half of a female torso (viewed from the rear), menstruating molten lava. Inevitably, it led to accusations of misogyny towards the band and many record stores either refusing to stock or display the album on the shelves as a result. more »