A while back I had the
honour to review Howling Giant's self titled debut EP. To my extreme joy, the
trio is back with another EP, 'Black Hole Space Wizard, Part 1'. So
obviously I jumped on the chance to write about these Nashvilians and jump head
first into the very interesting world they inhabit. As much as I still love
their debut, the new wax 'Black Hole Space Wizard, Part 1' sees Howling
Giant hone their skills tremendously and have taken giant - no pun intended -
steps forward. Call it natural progression, if you like. None of the band's
trademarks are missing. The humour, the laissez faire, the excellent
musicianship, everything is still there. What's new is the progress Messieurs
Polzine, Marks and Wheeler has made. The much dreaded word maturity comes to
mind, but in the best sense possible. This EP is the first part in a concept
story about the demise of Earth and one man’s fight for survival against the
evil Space Wizard. Going in the conceptual direction is a bold move for any
band, but it is here where Howling Giant’s growth is most apparent.
The story starts with ‘Mothership’ which is a giant spaceship
where mankind exists in the future. While on the spacecraft the people first
encounter the Space Wizard through scanner readings. ‘Exodus-Earth’ is a flashback to when Earth was destroyed, however
the exact time of destruction is somewhat uncertain and hidden in secrecy. The
first time mankind actually encounter the Space Wizard is in ‘Dirtmouth’ when he destroys ‘Mothership’. ‘Clouds Of Smoke’ leaves a sole survivor who escapes to the husk
planet of Earth in a cloud of smoke, pondering his next move. The EP ends here
and what the outcome is will become known when Part 2 is released.
A somewhat trippy intro
to opener ‘Mothership’ before the
band goes wide fucking open. An organ, courtesy of Drew Harakal, is featured
heavily, which elevates this neckbreaker even further. Sparing nothing, the
song builds up gradually from heavy levels to brutal levels. Spacey, out there
and so amazing! I’m talking about ‘Exodus-Earth’.
Going more for attitude and oomph than speed, it’s a head trip and then some.
Again, helped by the organ, I just close my eyes and enjoy the travels through
burning planets and pulsating supernovas. Furious, intense and in-yer-face, ‘Dirtmouth’ is vicious as the band tears
me apart. This is by far the heaviest and most brutal Howling Giant song I
have ever heard…and I love it! Closer ‘Clouds
Of Smoke’ is slow, thoughtful and sort of dejected, a trippy desert song if
there ever was one. The vocal phrasing reminds me so much of Dave Gahan of
Depeche Mode. That’s probably unintentional, but this combination works wonder.
Eerie, stoned out desert rock sung by the masters of electronica. Don’t fret,
dear wave riders, because this is a fantastic song.
I love it when your favourite
bands excels with each new release, especially when it’s done with such ease
and elegance. You can tell when songs have been conceived just like that with no
calculation or grand scheme behind them, other than having been beautifully
crafted by excellent, humble yet determined musicians. Howling Giant are a one
of a kind band and if people know what’s right for them, they will check out
these hoodlums because these guys are something else. I mean, how can you go
wrong when you tour in a white hearse?!
-Swedebeast
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