Release
date: August 1st 2015. Label: Self Released. Formats:
DD/Vinyl
Migration:
Tracklisting
1.Cenotaph
05:41
2.Hashteroid
07:24
3.Strawberry
Caviar 05:18
4.March
Of The High Priests 13
Band
Members:
Richard
Burkett - Guitar
Steve
Becker - Bass
Justin
Rodda - Drums
Review:
Instrumental
Sludge/Stoner Metallers – GIZA – return with their 3rd record –
Migration and it carries on their highly adventurous sound laid down
on the previous albums. The album runs for about 32 mins in length
and features 4 heavy slices of finely tuned instrumental rock music
that blends Sludge, Stoner, Doom and Post-Metal for one exciting and
addictive listen.
Opening
track – Cenotaph – opens with a simple acoustic guitar riff
before Giza unleash a barrage of heavy progressive noises as the mood
becomes slightly volatile. The bass-heavy and down-tempo riffs are
played at a slow pace but that gives GIZA time to create fantastic
spaced out synths and noises with the guitars adding a real menacing
vibe. The drumming is another highlight with drummer – Justin –
playing perfectly timed beats and with confidence to match. The song
runs for 6 mins but the time flies as GIZA open the flood-gates to a
spaced out and trippy sonic delight.
Second
track – Hashteriod – carries on the sci-fi surroundings with
another round of tripped out, down-tempo guitars and pounding drums
with bassist – Steve – now being given the chance to shine. As
his bass playing becomes the main focus of the song. The song is a
strange hybrid of Sludge, Doom, Stoner, Psych and Noise with GIZA
offering a fresh take on all things Instrumental Rock/Metal.
Migration sees GIZA venture further into the realm of space rock as
you become part of the action. GIZA speed things up dramatically with
different noises and effect before the unexpected and brilliant jazz
based drumming that comes out of nowhere. WOW – is all I can say
about the end of that song. I wasn’t expecting that at all.
Third
track – Strawberry Caviar – may have a strange title for an album
such as this but you can’t deny GIZA’s wicked sense of humour.
Though, the music is where it counts as GIZA has created another
finely tuned slice of cosmic based sludge rock. It’s played at a
slow pace but around the 3 minute mark GIZA feels they’ve
transported a mini-orchestra into space as the sound becomes HUGE and
I mean HUGE. Different noises and riffs combine once again for a song
that feels like the world is about to meet it’s impending doom.
It’s cinematic on a grand scale.
Fourth
track – March Of The High Priests – could be called after a wide
range of classic sci-fi themed novels. The track opens with distorted
and droned out noises set against a distant church bell ringing in
the background. It carries on for a few minutes before GIZA decide to
finally appear with the hazy and psychedelic sludge/stoner sounding
guitars. And then you hear vocals. On a GIZA record. No way. You hear
dreamy, tripped out vocals courtesy of Seattle based Irene Barber
(who also plays with Dust Moth, Erik Blood). Irene’s vocals add a
more sombre atmosphere to the song as you can feel the pain and
intensity from Irene’s brief vocal delivery. The song becomes very
surreal at times with Irene’s superb vocals and the slow tripped
out guitars. It’s still a heavy Sludge/Stoner Metal affair with
GIZA creating one of their finest songs to date.
March
Of The High Priests is worth for the purchase of the album alone as
the song ends on a loud and almost violent end. The instrumental work
is flawless through out though I have to say Irene is the standout
star on this song. I wonder if GIZA will add a vocalist to the band
in the future as it works brilliantly well on the last song. Could be
the sign of things to come.
All
in all, Migration is GIZA’s finest work to date. Check it out
now!!!
Migration
is now available to buy on DD/Vinyl.
Words
by Steve Howe
Links: