Howling Giant
Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2

Tracks
1. Henry Tate
2. The Pioneer
3. Visions
4. The Forest Speaks
5. Circle of Druids
6. Earth Wizard


Band:
Tom Polzine – Guitar/Vocals
Roger Marks – Bass/Vocals
Zach Wheeler – Drums/Vocals


Discography:
Howling Giant (EP 2015)
Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 1 (EP 2016)


Guests:
Drew Harakal – Guest Organ/Synths, recorded in Keyword in Ft. Worth, Texas
Kim Wheeler – Baritone Saxophone


Info:
Produced by Howling Giant
Mixed by Kim Wheeler
Mastered by Chris Frasco
Album Artwork by Sue Davies

Released 2017-08-25
Reviewed 2017-08-13

Links:
bandcamp
youtube

The Howling Giant returns with the second part in the trilogy about the Black Hole Space Wizard. It adds six more chapters to the story and continues along the path set down in the first part and perhaps it sets up the right elements for an exciting climax some time next year. This second part of this spacey story has us meeting wizards, druids in a circle, talking forest, Henry Tate and some visions – in six chapters that are told in a manner that is more or less the same as in the first part of the story, which shouldn’t be too surprising to you.

It is the same fuzzed out rock music with spacey feel balancing between the seventies throwbacks and more modern touches. Diffuse vocals that should have been more distinct to be really appealing, good sound and feel – it has some energy and power. Besides the nice melodies of the opening track there isn’t much variation, the EP sort of blends into one with some individual flair here and there and feels a bit too monotonous to really take off flying at light-speed deep into space. Seen as a standalone release I think this is one more in the great mainstream of releases, one that will not be that noticed, but if you look at it as an addition to the Space Wizard part 1 one it makes more sense and it feels a lot more relevant.

As a sci-fi fan I like the story more than the music, it is interesting and dramatic. The music is strong and good as well, a nice soundtrack to the story and I really hope that when they release the ending part they will make a nicely packed comic book edition of the entire story with a graphic novel to add more depth to the musical story. That would be fantastic – I would buy that. This part in itself however, it should have a bit more variation and while it is a step forward compared with the first part it isn’t that exciting but it sets a tone for an exciting climax to the story about the space wizard from a singularity somewhere.

They are on the right track these guys and the story as a whole is a lot stronger than its individual parts. The spacey fuzzy hardrock they have to offer is really well made and should appeal to fans of similar music. If you liked the first part of this story, you will most certainly like this part as well, I would describe it is a logical and strong sequel.

HHHHHHH

 

 

Label: Independent
Three similar bands: Red Fang/Baroness/Rush
Rating: HHHHHHH (4/7)
Reviewer: Daniel Källmalm


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