BUZZARD is the brainchild of singer/songwriter Christopher Thomas Elliott. The music and lyrics combine the riffing of Doom, storytelling of Folk, and themes of Weird Fiction, SF, Horror, and social satire. The man himself is from Massachusetts in the USA and when you listen to the very simple, direct and clear lyrics you will realise that he has an agricultural background. What is even more astounding is the fact that this is the third album by BUZZARD in thirteen months! Debut album “Doom Folk” saw the light of day on March 18, 2024. Sophomore album “Satiricus Doomicus Americus” was released on January 10, 2025 and now it is time for the third instalment of Doom Folk, named “Mean Bone”, which was let loose on the world on April 11, 2025. If you are interested in acquiring them digitally, just go the BUZZARD Bandcamp site, where you will get a discount if you buy all three albums at once. The question now is if that would be considered interesting.

Well, that depends on whether you can get past the musical influences and adaptations that BUZZARD has opted. As I am only reviewing “Mean Bone” and I haven’t heard any previous material, it is impossible for me to comment on the whole package. I can only speak for this album. The fact is, if you can hack Doom Rock/Metal combined with Folk Rock, Americana and very poetic lyrics, you will be fine. Just be sure to expect a banjo, piano based songs, but always with a Doom undertone. So yes, including distorted guitars. I for one don’t mind what Christopher Thomas Elliott comes forward with for BUZZARD, but it’s not setting my soul on fire or making me jump for joy. No, this is making me sit down with my headphones on and listen properly. Yes, it can be that intense, which does not have the same meaning as heavy, because this is moderately heavy. Almost 55 minutes of this intensity is a bit too much for my tasting, but I can’t help but like what BUZZARD is bringing on “Mean Bone”.

I’ll say that traditional Doom fans should be wary of BUZZARD and “Mean Bone”, whilst Folk lovers with a wide angle lens and other more adventurous music lovers will be able to understand and therefore enjoy what is passing through your ears into that massive underused grey matter we call our brain. I like what I hear, but this is for a very niche market indeed. Why don’t you find out if you are eligible to be part of that market and give BUZZARD and “Mean Bone” a listen?