After an album that served as both catharsis and a transition into a new era, Bukowski is back, stronger than ever. It’s almost back to basics, because simply repeating a proven formula would have been too easy. *Cold Lava* is first and foremost the first album recorded by Bukowski with their latest lineup, which has been stable and complete for three years now. While we've always appreciated Bukowski's sound, somewhere between stoner and hard rock, all spiced up with a good dose of groove, this time the band didn't hesitate to add a nice helping of more alternative and ambient sounds to their saturated formula. There's a hint of Thrice or, to a lesser extent, Thursday and Alexisonfire on some tracks. Buko will always be Buko, but their evolution brings a breath of fresh air to music that is still intense and hammered out with conviction. Returning to shorter tracks, certainly, but without going in circles – that's so much more exhilarating. It needs to move, it needs to dance, but always serving the cause of the most intoxicating headbanging. Fully charged, Bukowski has succeeded in creating the album they secretly wanted to make for many years. Power, emotion, catchy choruses… and rock in many forms. *Cold Lava* is fire under ice. Beware of still waters, the storm is coming.