Giza - "Migration" (Album Review)

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

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

Band info: bandcamp | facebook

The Sludgelord Song Premiere: 'Death Perception' by X SUNS

By: Aaron Pickford

Formed in Seattle sometime in 2009 X Suns started as Keith Furtado, Trent McIntyre, and Adam Tricoli playing live at the start of 2010 (as Ten Suns). In Oct. of 2011, X Suns would record a 5 song EP with Justin Armstrong at Electrokitty Studios. Tens Sun would go on to change their name to X Suns ("X" as the roman numeral for ten), after finding out about a Canadian band of the same name. After self-releasing the E.P. on CD and Digital Download in January of 2012, the band decided to add Skippy King (Formerly of the Seattle band Patrol) as their second guitarist. They continued as a four-piece until May of 2012, when Keith Furtado decided to part ways with the band. He was replaced by Richard Burkett (from the Seattle sludge-metal band Giza) in August of 2012.

Now with a heavier sound, they began to craft new songs and re-work old ones. In March of 2013, they entered the studio to record what would become "The Greys" EP. Recorded by Christiaan Morris at Red Room Studios, and mixed by Matt Bayles (ISIS, Botch, Caspian, Minus the Bear, etc.). ‘The Greys’ was self-released digitally, and on a limited run of cassette tapes on October 31st, 2013.

Prior to the release, Richard Burkett quit the band to focus on his band Giza. He was quickly replaced by Erick Hohnstein-Von Etten, formerly of the band Claymore (from Port Orchard, WA).

This new lineup started writing new material immediately, and played tons of shows around the northwest. They shared the stage with such notable bands as Pelican, Tombs, And So I Watch You From Afar, Junius, InAeona, North, Dead Meadow, Bearcubbin, Boyfrndz, TTNG, Mylets, Jucifer, and many others. They also did a short northwest tour with Dust Moth & Hooves, and performed at Volume Fest in Spokane.

In Dec. of 2014, they recorded a 4 song EP, titled "III", with Chris Mathews Jr. It was then mixed by Matt Balyes, and Mastered by Ed Brooks at RFI Mastering in Seattle. During this time, Erick decided to part ways with the band. He was replaced by Jared Burke Eglington, formerly of Akimbo, Patrol, Caligula, Bitches Crystal, etc.

Their third EP, "III", will be released by the band themselves on Oct. 14th, 2015, with a west coast tour to follow and it gives us great pleasure here at the Sludgelord to premiere ‘Death Perception’.  

X Suns upcoming tour dates can be found below:

Oct. 14th - Portland, OR @ High Water Mark
Oct. 15th - Ashland, OR @ Club 66
Oct. 16th - Oakland, CA @ Lobot Gallery
Oct. 17th - Fresno, CA @ Summer Sweat Vol 3
Oct. 18th - San Diego, CA @ Bancroft
Oct. 19th - Los Angeles, CA @ Lot 1 Cafe
Oct. 20th - Long Beach, CA @ Prospector
Oct. 21st - Santa Cruz, CA @ Blue Lagoon
Oct. 22nd - Eugene, OR @ Old Nick’s Pub
Oct. 23rd - Tacoma, WA @ Real Art

Band info: bandcamp | facebook | twitter

GIZA - I Am The Ocean, I Am The Sea - Review

Album Type: Album

Date Released: 29^th April 2014

Label: Self Released

I Am The Ocean, I Am The Sea track listing:

1.I. 01:51

2.Molecular Tsunami 06:10

3.Interplanetary Cyclone 04:12

4.Drawing Tar 09:36

5.V. 03:08

Bio:

GIZA is an Instrumental Apocalyptic Sludge Metal band from Seattle.

The Band Members

Steve Becker - Bass

Richard Burkett - Guitar

Justin Rodda - Drums

Review:

I originally featured these atmospheric sludge riffsters back in Dec 2012 when I reviewed their excellent debut album – Future Ruins – which won some acclaim within the Doom/Sludge Metal scene. If you're a fan of Pelican, Mastodon and Russian Circles then you need to check these guys out now.

Their debut album was recorded by Matt Bayles who has produced for a whole raft of legendary bands such as ISIS, Mono, Russian Circles and Mastodon to name but a few. Well GIZA have wisely decided to bring Matt back to record their stunning new album – I Am The Ocean, I Am The Sea.

GIZA are back to lay claim in being one of the best undiscovered Instrumental Sludge Metal bands currently out there as this album is breathtaking in scope and in nature. It has the perfect elements of Doom, Sludge, Stoner and Post-Metal riffs moulded together for one haunting ride into the unknown. I dare you not to be moved by the progressive riffs of Driving Tar of Interplanetary Cyclone which sees the band heavier than before.

GIZA have a new drummer behind the decks since the last release and Justin does a stunning job here which isn't surprising since he was the drummer behind SERIAL HAWK. A band that I have raved very highly about in the past. Though this time he is providing his immense talent with GIZA and he provides some finely tuned heavy pounding ammunition to match the epic sludge guitar riffs on show. And things get very loud indeed when the band are in full flow. I feel no one can match them when they are on this kind of form.

It maybe slightly short at 25 mins but believe me GIZA have more ideas and riffs than albums on twice as long. The album has a distorted psychedelic space rock vibe which wasn't on the last album. Last track – V – closes the album in the most perfect way. Epic Spacey Sludge Rock riffs blended with loud doom and gloom atmospherics

It's another excellent release from GIZA. I hope that some cool Indie Label signs these guys as they deserve a shot at the big time. Check out their two excellent releases and get them signed now. You can buy this album on BandCamp Buy Now Download. Donate if you can as GIZA are seriously down-to-earth cool guys who deserve as much praise coming their way.

Brilliant and Highly Recommended.

Check The Band From Links Below

Facebook

BandCamp

Written by Steve Howe