Buñuel

Vocalist Eugene Robinson is nothing if not a bold musician. His 35-year role as the frontman of noise rock institution Oxbow made that clear and he underscores that with Buñuel, the band he has led since 2016. Their recently-released Mansuetude is a singular take on noise rock: off-kilter drum rhythms and noisy, cutting guitars lead the way, Robinson taking on the role of deranged narrator. 

“I played Roadburn once with Black Sun,” recalls Robinson. “Then again with Oxbow. But somehow I think the adage about the third time being the charm is more true now than ever. Or like Clint Eastwood asked in Dirty Harry, ‘Do you feel lucky, punk?’ 

“I guess, yes, now we do. Especially as Buñuel’s new record, Mansuetude, fits not-so-neatly aside the grimmest of the grim and the doom-laden amidst the doom. It’s sonic cruelty, if nothing else. And precisely the kind of bad karma that makes us all feel good for not being victimized by it. Roadburn is the much-more-than perfect setting for the spreading of wings. And we’re overjoyed to do it, if for no other reason than to see [Roadburn founder] Walter [Hoeijmakers] again.”

For many, Buñuel’s set at Roadburn will be an introduction. Despite the fact that they are not a new band, they exist comfortably in the underground. In interviews about Mansuetude, Robinson has explained that he still has things to accomplish as a musician and with Buñuel, inviting a variety of collaborators on the new album: Converge’s Jacob Bannon, Couch Slut’s Megan Osztrosits, The Jesus Lizard’s Duane Denison and Netherlands’ Timo Ellis, among others accomplished musicians. 

Eugene Robinson is a singular figure in the heavy music scene, as a bandleader, as a composer and as a performer, making Buñuel a deeply exciting and extremely welcome addition to the festival. Karma finds everyone eventually and it will find Roadburn when Buñuel performs in April.

– Emily Bellino