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It
was a very nice surprise to hear Giant Squid’s
Metridium Fields’ about three years ago. It was a
rather refreshing listen that seemed to stand on its
impervious own at a time when post rock was just a
little monster and metal was errr…metal. Back then
Giant Squid weren’t reinventing the wheel, but whatever
it is that they did with their aquatic open notes and
extended songs, they ended up with a pretty nifty album.
This time around, now without the help of The End
Records, they are proving that the lucidity of
Metridium Fields was not a lucky strike. In fact,
The Ichtyologist improves over the previous
recordings. It is both more beautiful and more
difficult, which is to say that it is heavier and yet
also gentler.
The heaviness
of The Ichtyologist is nothing more than an extension of
the dynamics worked on during Metridium Fields; big open
riffs work entrancing melodies that at times seem influenced by
middle eastern folk. Hypnotizing stuff. Repeated incessantly in
the span of seven minutes is enough to idiotize, in the good
sense of the word. The first two songs show just that,
“Panthalassa” and “La Brea Tar Pits” are strange song titles but
are stranger post apocalyptic doom/stoner. Don’t even get me
started with that post-rock shit. Massive tunes indeed. The
pretty starts right about then, “Sutterville” is theatric and
whimsical. And elegant piece that could fit right there adorning
the imagination of Tim Burton. I am assuming here is where
Lorraine Rath and Kris Force from Amber Asylum assist the band.
“Dead Man
Slough” is a great song. A bit melancholic it balances expertly
the picking and strumming of strings. When Giant Squid get heavy
vocalist Aaron Gregory recalls SOAD’s Serj Tankian sans the
epileptic seizures. That’s a good thing by the way. The music of
Giant Squid and SOAD are polar opposites and there isn’t a
stylistic thread in common. The Gathering’s Anneke Van
Gierbesbergen does a cameo in “Sevengill”, another slow number
with a miserable cello touch and her angelic touch. Need I go
song by song to tell you how satisfying it is? Nah. The
Ichtyologist is an album that shall speak for itself. I’ve
been waiting for it for months and it was worth the wait. If you
enjoyed Metridium Fields chances are you too have been
waiting for it. Too bad it is only getting a digital release.
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