Howling Giant rose from the heavy underground of
Nashville, Tennessee, where country-pop dominates the airwaves but fuzz reigns
in the basements. Formed in the mid-2010s, the band quickly stood out with
their cosmic blend of doom, prog, and stoner rock, creating stories about
interstellar wanderers and mythic battles. Following three EPs and two
acclaimed albums, “The Space Between Worlds” (2019) and “Glass Future” (2023), the
quartet returns stronger, louder, and more ambitious with “Crucible &
Ruin.”
Produced by
Neil Tuuri and recorded in a proper studio
for the first time, “Crucible & Ruin” captures the raw chemistry of the
band playing together in real time. There’s a sense of immediacy and purpose in
their performance, and every track brims with energy. The riffs are thick and
heavy, rooted in stoner rock tradition, while the vocals stretch into the
melodic and storytelling side of progressive metal. The bass lines, handled by Sebastian Baltes, provide a strong undercurrent
that keeps everything tight and grooving.
Tracks like
“Hunter’s Mark” and “Beholder II: Labyrinth” capture the spirit of the band at
full power, mixing soaring choruses with powerful grooves. “Archivist” and
“Canyons” dive deeper into their more psychedelic tendencies, layering
harmonies and driving rhythm sections into something hypnotic. There’s a
satisfying balance between melody and aggression across the album, making it
easy to get lost in its flow from start to finish.
“Crucible
& Ruin” confirms Howling Giant as one of
the most inspired acts in modern heavy rock. It’s the sound of a group fully in
sync, expanding their universe without losing their identity. Fuzzy, melodic,
and massive in scope, it’s a album made for long drives and late-night
headphone journeys.
Score: 7.3
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/howlinggiant
https://www.instagram.com/howlinggiant
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