I was always a great fan of splits as a type of release, and the idea of two bands contributing equally on the same CD for a better result or fighting to prove themselves on a not formal battle, always seemed fascinating to me. I remember that one of the first records I’ve ever bought was a split of Sex Pistols Vs The New York Dolls! (in the tender age of 13 that was a fatal stroke for my thereafter musical preferences ). If you are still not convinced about the worth of splits who can forget the classics, Electric Wizard/Orange Goblin, Kyuss/QotSA, Nebula/Lowrider, Unida/Dozer, Acid King/Mystik Krewe Of Clearlight and so many more that added prestige and cult reputation to the bands that participated and the labels that was responsible for those releases.
Unfortunately the Astroqueen / Buffalo split I think that won’t be remembered in the future as one of the above. Both bands had released highly promising debuts. The Swedish Astroqueen back in 2001 delivered “Into Submission” out by Pavement records, a typical stoner rock album with all the cool traits of genre such as fuzzy guitars, leading bass and heavy vocals. This one is their first release since then and I can’t say that I’m satisfied by them. They still have this fat riffing sound which provides the cool atmosphere of stoner rock but that’s all, the compositions of the tracks are quite mediocre and it’s difficult to find some true highlights. The only true highlights is the opener “Crashlander” but it only lasts 1:54! And “The Shades Of John Doe”. On the other hand things are definitely better. The three Argentinean Buffalos after the release of their admittedly impressive debut “Temporada De Huracanes” delivering 4 new tracks and a fuzzy 8 minute version on Metallica’s “The Four Horsemen”. The Buffalo tracks are very good, at least three of the four. “Asesino De Corderos”, “Tormento” one of the heaviest tracks they have ever written with an unbelievably catchy riff is surely the highlight of the split and “Jesus El Arquitecto” which represents the bands effort on more mazy compositions and really they work it out just fine.
The CD also contains one video by each band. Astroqueen appears with “Crashlander” and Buffalo with “Jesus El Arquitecto”. My rate for the Astroqueen songs is 7/13 and for Buffalo is 9/13 so the general rating of the split comes out of counterbalance.

www.stonerrock.com/astroqueen
www.bffl.com
www.diasdegaragerecords.com