By: Charlie Butler
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 01/08/2015
Label: Independent
Giza cover a wide spectrum of styles over the course of the four
tracks of “Migration”, unleashing a series of tectonic plate-worrying emissions
Yob would be proud of. The band lock into a colossal low-end dirge, reminiscent
of Pelican during their early period, giving way to more urgent riffing and
even a drum solo to close. This is great
release and makes me hungry to hear more.
“Migration” DD//LP track listing:
1).
Cenotaph
2).
Hasheroid
3).
Strawberry Caviar
Giza is:
Richard
Burkett | Guitar
Steve Becker | Bass
Justin Rodda | Drums
Steve Becker | Bass
Justin Rodda | Drums
The Review:
Giza have a real
knack for lulling you into a false sense of security. “Cenotaph” kicks off the Seattle trio’s latest opus “Migration” with a lone clean guitar
picking out a plaintive melody. This calm is soon broken when the band lurch
into some seriously weighty doom. Over the next five
minutes Giza unleash a series of tectonic plate-worrying
emissions Yob would be proud of.
“Hashteroid”
begins in similarly calm fashion with spacious acoustic guitar. It is not long
before this peace is devastated by the impact of the titular cosmic debris. The
band lock into a colossal low-end dirge, reminiscent of Pelican
during their early period, giving way to more urgent riffing and even a drum
solo to close.
The second half of the album has a markedly
different tone to the first. “Strawberry
Caviar” continues the pattern of soft beginnings, but this time the tone is
more melancholic. The quiet is drawn out and atmosphere built until the drums
and distortion arrive after a few minutes, shimmering into life. The heaviness
is still there it’s tempered by a melodic edge, offset by squealing feedback
from the overdriven bass.
“Migration”
draws to a close with the 14 minute odyssey of “March of the High Priests”. The track begins with hazy drones,
before the band move into a prog-tinged acoustic section. Giza
establish a real nocturnal atmosphere here, like Pallbearer
on “Sorrow and Extinction”, helped
by guest vocals from Irene Barber. On first listen I found the sudden
appearance of vocals after three instrumental tracks a bit jarring but after a
few spins really came round to them - they add an extra dimension. The mood soon shifts as crushing volume makes
a reappearance, bringing all of the elements of the album together for a
satisfying climax.
Giza cover a wide
spectrum of styles over the course of the four tracks of “Migration”. Whilst this
doesn’t make for the most coherent listen, they more than make up for this with
sheer quality and intrigue. This is great release and makes me hungry to hear
more from Giza.
“Migration” is available here
