I never reviewed Howling Giant’s debut EP at the time, but I’ve reviewed many of their releases since, and in one of my conclusions I wrote: “This is a whole world of discovery.”
That’s almost how you have to view this re-release; it’s all about the riffs. Dry as lunar dust. “Travelling space” goes the first line of “Husk,” and that’s the feel.
Early Orange Goblin fans will find much to enjoy here, and there’s something otherworldly about the harmonies in “Whale Lord.” Those harmonies, of course, come from the trio having three vocalists. That’s always been key to Howling Giant.
The chemistry between guitarist/vocalist Tom Polzine, drummer/vocalist Zach Wheeler, and bassist/vocalist Roger Marks is sensational, and when they inject energy into things like they do on the wonderful “Doug,” they are as good as anyone.
The last song on the original album—apparently recorded in Tom’s bedroom—is “Camel Crusher,” more your classic “stoner” sound. That is to say, riffs that Cathedral would give their bell bottoms for, spoken-word passages, screams, and not a hint of a chorus as it meanders wherever it damn well wants. Oh, and like all Howling Giant stuff, it’s ace. Especially now it’s been remastered by Stone Axe man Tony Reed.
But before they were a Nashville band (and it always amuses me when Music City throws up something as incongruous as this), they were in college in Boston, and they’ve included the original demo, recorded in four hours in the small hours.
Included here as “the origin story,” as the band puts it, hearing “Husk” and “Whale Lord” in their original, raw form is interesting.
These recordings date back to 2012, and they’re more worthy than most extras, given the groove on “Tusk of the Thunder Mammoth” even lives up to the song title.
And there’s a cover. If you’re going to do “Yummy, Yummy, Yummy” by Ohio Express, then you should do it like this, too.
The last one even talks about how they met at Berklee College of Music, an essay on the band and what it means to go from Skulldozer to Howling Giant.
It—like anything else they do—is unlike anything else, or anyone else, for that matter.
Howling Giant are brilliant. They deserve this celebration and reflection.
Rating: 8.5/10
REVIEW: HOWLING GIANT – HOWLING GIANT EP: 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION (2025)
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