Continuing the journey
About a year ago MV reviewed part one of a journey that Nashville three piece (on record they add guest organ and trumpet) Howling Giant undertook.
Self-styled purveyors of “Cosmic Riffs”, Howling Giant were likened on these very pages to Crobot, Elder and Monster Truck (for clarity this makes them very good indeed).
Now, they are back with part two and “Black Hole Space Wizard” still rules.
They are returning in a slightly different way too. First off, there are six songs this time, up from the four in part one, and although it isn’t as long as it might be – clocking in at just over half an hour – it does have a more prog, psychedelic, sprawling, call it what you will, feel than its compatriot.
For example, this one contains the trippy instrumental “The Forest Speaks” which is as light and airy as you could want, and although what lurks in the shadows under the canopy is unknown, it is an example of how Howling Giant can spread their wings.
Happy to take their time, this leg of exploration blasts off with “Henry Tate” acting as the overture alongside some fuzzy dry as (space) dust riffery, “The Pioneer” adds some mighty bass from Roger Marks but also is home to a huge hook and a first line: “My back is to the setting sun. This place feels like some kind of hell.”
If that is a clue that all might not be well this time, the epic, yet eerie sounding, “Visions” makes it clear.
As the record continues, the chugging “Circle Of Druids” is a brilliant slice of stoner infused rock, with the lead of Tom Polzine really coming to the fore, while the vocal harmonies here are pure Mastodon.
The closing “Earth Druid” is a giant (the band are so named to describe their sound) slab of guitar work and Zach Wheeler finds something primal in his drums The thought that a comet is to strike the earth gives this an apocalyptic feel too.
A superb second chapter – a third is in the works to bring it to a conclusion – listening to this and the first one together really shows the ambition that is at the heart of this project. And that is the skill here. You can enjoy this record on many levels. As standalone albums they work just fine, but if you want to buy into the story too, then this is a whole world of discovery.
Rating 8/10
