Monday 19 April 2021

Howling Giant - Alteration (EP Review)

 

Release Date: 20th April 2021. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD


Alteration - Tracklisting

Understudy
Luring Among Rings
Enemy Of My Anemone
Farmer’s Maggot Crop (ft Mike T. Kerr)

Band Members:

Tom Polzine - Guitars and Vocals
Zach Wheeler - Drums and Vocals
Sebastian Baltes - Bass and Vocals
Marshall Bolton - Keys and Synths

Review

Alteration is the new EP from Psych/Space/Stoner Rockers Howling Giant and is their contribution to the legendary WEEDIAN Holiday of 4/20. This EP was recorded by the following process:

We started streaming on Twitch as a way to scratch the “live show” itch while we anxiously awaited the return of shows and touring. Our streams cover everything from cooking with Tom and Zach to Dungeons & Dragons sessions, as well as solo instrumental streams and our full band show every Saturday.

During the full band shows we ask the viewers to call out song names and we write instrumental jams on the spot to match the song title. After going back and reviewing some of these jams, we decided it would be fun to actually record some of them in a more professional setting. Aside from working on this instrumental 4/20 release, we’ve been deep in the writing process for our next full length record, which will also draw influence from some of our Twitch jams. Named by the people, for the people, and improvised live each week, this is our tribute to our fans, friends, and family that have kept us afloat as we’ve all endured lockdown.

What we have is a 20 minute EP which is purely instrumental spread across 4 songs and it contains all the great sounds and grooves that Howling Giant are known for. It’s a fast-paced and heavy psychedelic affair which is what the band always excel at. It’s good to see them try something different for this release and offer new music for fans to enjoy.

With the fans helping decide the album titles this is most definitely a release “for the people” and Howling Giant deserve credit for listening to their fan-base and releasing something worthy of their already impressive and acclaimed discography.

The standout tracks are most definitely Understudy and Enemy Of My Anemone which show flashes of world-building style Psychedelic Rock and Prog Metal that shows an almost different side to Howling Giant which I hope they build upon their forthcoming full length album.

The instrumental work is excellent and with this being recorded in lockdown conditions, the production is also impressive indeed and shows why Howling Giant are becoming one of the best bands within the Psychedelic Stoner Rock/Metal scene. They’ve been on a roll recently and they keep that “WIN STREAK” going with this heavy spaced out EP and offer their fans a welcome break from the bleakness currently going on in the world.

If you’re new to Howling Giant then check out this great EP and then delve right into their acclaimed back catalogue and possibly find your next “favourite” band.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo. Alteration is available to buy on DD now.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp