B-Side Guys

Buffalo’s Split From the Mind opens their self-titled debut EP with a guitar tone that feels like a deliberate provocation—thick, unadorned, and sitting right at the front of the mix on “Patterns Of..” It’s the sound of a band refusing to hide behind modern production tricks, instead choosing to emphasize the actual performance. This aesthetic decision proves crucial to the EP’s success, as authenticity emerges as its most valuable currency across six tracks that navigate internal struggle with unflinching honesty.

The trio—Stephen Wright (vocals, guitar), Douglas Griffith Jr. (drums), and Charles Sanfilipo (bass)—has crafted something that feels simultaneously personal and universal. Wright’s vocal approach shifts dramatically between tracks, from the measured intensity on “Patterns Of..” to raw-throated urgency during “For Fuck’s Sake..” This versatility allows the band to explore varied emotional terrain without losing cohesion, creating a narrative arc that builds with purpose across the EP’s 26-minute runtime.

Instrumentally, Split From the Mind’s approach feels refreshingly uncluttered. Griffith’s drumming deserves particular praise for its responsiveness to the material—restrained and atmospheric during introspective moments, then explosive when the compositions demand release. The band consistently prioritizes the needs of each song over showcasing technical prowess, though there are plenty of moments where their musicianship shines through organically.

“Falling..” demonstrates the trio’s command of dynamics, beginning with minimal instrumentation before blossoming into a full-throated expression of vulnerability. The track showcases Wright’s ability to convey intimate emotion without resorting to cliché, his vocals riding atop Sanfilipo’s subtly complex bassline that adds melodic counterpoint rather than merely reinforcing the guitar.

By the time “Power Is..” arrives at the EP’s midpoint, the band has established a sonic identity distinct from their influences. While echoes of Tool’s rhythmic experimentation and Queens of the Stone Age’s desert-rock directness occasionally surface, Split From the Mind never sounds derivative. Instead, these touchpoints feel metabolized into something uniquely their own—a sound built for exploring the specific tensions between self-determination and external pressures that dominate the EP’s thematic landscape.

“Spit From The Grind..” emerges as perhaps the most realized composition, with its shifting time signatures and unexpected melodic turns creating a disorienting effect that perfectly complements its subject matter of internal confrontation. The track builds to a cathartic instrumental section where all three musicians lock into a groove that feels simultaneously tight and on the verge of collapse—a delicate balance that few rock bands successfully navigate.

Closing track “A Beat in the Dark..” serves as both culmination and new beginning. Its patient build and eventual release feels earned rather than formulaic, with Wright’s most nuanced vocal performance saving its full intensity for precisely the right moment. The song’s final minutes create a space where resolution feels possible without being guaranteed—a fitting conclusion for an EP that refuses easy answers.

What’s most impressive about Split From the Mind’s debut is how it manages to feel both timeless and urgent. In an era where rock music often either chases trends or retreats into nostalgia, this EP carves out different territory altogether. It’s not concerned with where rock has been or where it’s going, but rather with expressing something honest in this particular moment.

The production throughout maintains a live-room quality that serves the material well. Instruments occupy distinct spaces in the mix while still feeling cohesive, allowing for clarity even during the most intense passages. This approach honors the music’s raw emotional core while still delivering the sonic impact necessary for these songs to land with full force.

For listeners seeking rock music with substance beyond sloganeering or technical showboating, Split From the Mind offers a compelling alternative. This is thoughtful, emotionally intelligent music made by musicians who clearly believe in its necessity. Whether it finds a wide audience or remains a cherished discovery for a smaller group of dedicated listeners, the EP stands as a complete artistic statement—one that rewards repeated engagement and refuses to be easily categorized or dismissed.