Release
date: July
26th
2019.
Label: Self
Released.
Format: CD/DD
Sleeping
Giant – S/T –
Tracklisting
1.Sleep
05:17
2.Temptress
3.Empire
4.Serpent
04:17
5.Gypsy
6.Visions
I
7.Visions
II
8.Visions
III
Members
Steven
Hammer: Guitar/Vocals
James
Wright: Bass
Pali
Emond-Glenn: Drums
Review
Aussie
Psych Stoner Rockers Sleeping Giant self-titled debut album is the
first exposure that I’ve had to the band and I must say I was
pleasantly surprised from the very first riff. As the band play a
mixture of Desert Rock, Fuzz Rock, Psych and Stoner Metal all wrapped
up lovingly in a Heavy Spaced Out Environment.
Opening
song – Sleep – is a classic sounding Desert Rock/Stoner Rock song
with Sleeping Giant adding a nineties Alternative Rock/Metal approach
to their music. The song is packed with Truckfighters style FUZZ
which allows their music to be both modern sounding and have a
vintage feel all of its own. The vocals from Steven are not what I
expected. As I was expecting a heavier style of vocals but Steven
does a great job with his own fresh style.
Second
song – Temptress – is a more upbeat number with Sleeping Giant
adding a soulful Blues Rock vibe to their music. The band play their
heavy Fuzz/Stoner Rock riffs with absolute confidence. The song flows
superbly well and despite a few rough sounding moments, Sleeping
Giant should have you hooked with their appetite for playing heavy
spaced out music.
Third
song – Empire – carries on the hard rocking vibe the album has
for the majority of the songs. This song pays homage to Desert
Rock/Stoner Rock icons – KYUSS – in places though Sleeping Giant
keep the mood going with their own style of
Progressive/Psychedelic/Stoner Rock sounding grooves. The vocals yet
again are excellent and hold your attention throughout.
Fourth
song – Serpent – sees Sleeping Giant playing a faster and angrier
style of music and the hazy Fuzz Rock sounds work surprisingly well
with the almost “Doom” based lyrics. The atmosphere can be quite
gloomy compared to other songs on the album but it’s an excellent
change of pace for the album and works in the band’s favour. As you
start to feel part of the action now.
Fifth
song – Gypsy – opens with a blazing guitar solo and the music
becomes way heavier before the vocals slow things right down and
Sleeping Giant play a more soulful blend of Fuzz/Stoner Rock but with
hints of Classic Hard Rock starting to appear. There are certain
parts of this song where I wanted the band to speed things up. As the
song can be tiresome when the slower parts appear. That’s my only
complaint on an otherwise superb album.
The
final part of the album is the Visions. Visions is a three-part song
which sees Sleeping Giant play a more emotional style of music
especially on the first part (Visions I) which has more sombre
Post-Rock feel. The song only lasts a few moments but Sleeping Giant
manage to convey a wide range of different emotions on this song
especially when the Progressive Rock vibes appear.
Visions
II carries on the Blues Rock inspired Psychedelic Stoner Rock sounds
but with a heavier and direct approach. The harsh vocals surprised me
as I didn’t expect that at all. The album becomes more sinister as
a result.
Visions
III is the best song on the album. As Sleeping Giant add strands of
heavy Sludge Rock/Metal grooves to the mix. The song is quite serious
and this album ends very different than I originally expected. I was
expecting the album to end on a more upbeat note. However, the band
leave things on a more sombre and downbeat ending.
There
is a lot more going on with this album than you initially realize
when listening for the first time. It’s best to give this album a
few listens to fully understand what’s going on with the album
itself.
Overall,
Sleeping Giant have released a thrilling and highly progressive
sounding album that will surprise you in many different ways.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Sleeping
Giant for the promo. Their S/T debut album will be available to buy
on CD/DD from July 26th
2019.
