I write about random things a lot. I write a lot about random things. I'm not really a metal fan, though it wasn't for lack of trying — one of the first records I ever owned was Metallica's black selftitled record from the early '90s. That one with all the huge songs on it, you know which one I mean. I traded comics to get it on CD — isn't that adorable?

Eventually I came to appreciate the guitar as a powerful instrument, particularly when guitarists would come along with the type of skill necessary to shred up and down a fretboard as though it were as easy as walking up and down a flight of stairs.

Bison B.C. are a heavy metal band out of Vancouver, currently running down the tour for their third record, Dark Ages, released back in April. Though having played extensively with acts the like of Priestess and 3 Inches Of Blood has obviously helped to groom their sound, Bison B.C. have taken their craft beyond simple thrash metal.

There's something present in their music that you won't read about. While you can look them up and read all about their influences online, listening to Dark Ages tells you another story altogether: this is a band devoted to every drop of perfection they can get from their instruments.

It's evident right away in Stressed Elephant, the album's opener. Immediately apparent is such a focus and dedication to the flawlessness of the riff, you might almost think the band were far deeper invested in prog-rock like Tool and Helmet.

This continues throughout the entire record, evident all the way through the disc's closer, Wendigo, Pt. 3 (Let Him Burn), which begins with a lengthy acoustic introduction. Again, the track is oozing with an attention to detail and commitment to each note played the likes of which you rarely see outside of seasoned blues professionals — if the note doesn't need to be played, it isn't.

Altogether, Bison B.C. — made up of guitarists James Farwell and Dan And (who share vocal responsibilities), bassist Masa Anzai and drummer Brad McKinnon — are a very tight band that are undoubtedly giving Canadian metal bands a good name. They recorded and released Dark Ages in a very short span of time, reportedly heading into the studio in December of 2009 with Jesse Gander (who has produced a number of their contemporaries as well), and then releasing the completed project on April 13, 2010.

They will be playing the London Music Hall on Tuesday, October 19, joining in the celebration as local heroes Baptized In Blood release their debut album on Roadrunner Records by throwing a show that also features Threat Signal, The Jettison Commitment and Skag Barons. Tickets are $15 in advance, available through local outfits like Grooves Records or online at ticketscene.ca, and the cover includes a copy of Baptized In Blood's new record.

For more on Bison B.C., check their Myspace profile at myspace.com/bisoneastvan.

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