Release Date: March 25th 2022. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD
Music From And Inspired By Giantlands - Tracklisting
Kingdom
Spiritkeeper
Comets
Gaea
Members
Muhammad Azri Aman - Bass
Rasyid Juraimi - Guitars
Nicholas "Skinny" Ng - Guitar
Nicholas Wong - Drums, Vocals
Review
Singaporean Doom/Stoner Metallers Marijannah make a welcome return with their new album Music From And Inspired By Giantlands. An official soundtrack of sorts to the table-top role playing game Giantlands. I'm not familiar with the game but I'm familiar with Marijannah's Stoner based musical output. This album sees the band return to the sound heard on their debut self titled release than their last album Bloodsucker. As Bloodsucker was more of an exercise in Occult Doom Metal than full on standard modern day Doom/Stoner Metal.
The album sees Marijannah write fantasy driven lyrics with Black Sabbath and SLEEP inspired Doom/Stoner Metal. If you're not interested by the overall lyrical content then Marijannah still provides a thrilling release propelled by huge sounding Psychedelic riffs.
Opening song Kingdom lasts under two minutes but allows Marijannah lay down the creative and musical framework for this release. Heavy FUZZY and SEEDY grooves with that classic SABBATH Amplifier based feeling with a sense of gloomy dread creeping in. This is purely instrumental but it's a killer track to open the album with.
Second song Spiritkeeper lands you right in the middle of Giantlands fantastical world but I'm more focused on the music than the actual meaning of the lyrics. Though, the lyrics are splendid and the fantastical element allows lead vocalist Nicholas to flirt between different styles Classic Doom Metal and Modern Day Stoner Metal. The music is heavy with fuzz based elements being quite powerful when the heavier moments appear.
Third song Comets is another epic song soaring past the ten minutes mark and maybe the best track on the album. This is MARIJANNAH being MARIJANNAH with down-tuned fuzzy guitars slowly building up a steady and heavy rhythm. The distorted grooves are quite slow-paced at first with the band adopting a gloomy outlook on this track. The vocals are more gloomy and subdued but the band play many different styles of Stoner Metal on this track but with some Proggy vibes added as well. The atmosphere is quite abstract and solitary in places but everything works as it should with Marijannah adding more fantastical lyrics to the overall feel and flow of the song.
Fourth song Gaea is the most "WEEDIAN '' sounding track on this release with the songs talking about dragons and other wonderful mystical creatures that Giantlands (the game) may offer. The music has that SLEEP based quality to it with heavy distorted psychedelic sounds being the main order of business. The music captures the "LOW & SLOW" atmosphere superbly well with more interesting vocal choices from Nicholas being one of the standout parts of the entire release.
Music From And Inspired By Giantlands is an album that will appeal to both fans and non-fans of the game. As it's primarily a kick-ass Doom/Stoner Metal album first and that's where Marijannah excel. This is a much better release than their last album. The production is better but with a more surreal edge to it. Marijannah are more rebellious on this album and that's made me a fan of the band in the first place.
Overall, this is another quality release from the band and should keep their established fanbase entertained and supremely happy.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words by Steve Howe
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