Giant Squid – Cenotes

Releasedate: 25-10-2011; Label: Translation Loss
By: Sabine van Gameren

Progressive/sludge formation Giant Squid has been around for ten years. When in 2007 they added an electric cello to their sound the band got a step forward to what they are now. Anno 2011 the band comes with the EP “Cenotes”.

How much of an item the cello is in the band’s music, comes forward straight from the beginning. As soon as the cello starts it gives a certain lead. This accompanied with some heavy guitars, thick and sludgy. An interesting combination for sure as it breaks the trend, the tendency that sludge has to drag you along so slowly and needing the full attention of the listener. It all becomes a bit lighter with the cello included. The doomy atmosphere comes out quite well and when the vocals are there to add a little extra to the music, it was not even that needed at that point. Giant Squid may have the only trap that the tensions are not really bringing much exiting. It goes on and on and not really break out at once to some surprising part. Therefore it may become a long sit-through with this release. It must be said that is an release that grows on you, so it deserves some more time to get to you.

Line up:
Aaron Gregory – Vocals, guitar
Bryan Beeson – Bass
Jackie Perez Gratz – Cello, vocals
Scott Sutton – Drums

Tracklist: 01. Tongue Stones (Megaptera megachasmacarcharias) 02. Mating Scars (Isurus metridium) 03. Snakehead (Channidae erectus) 04. Figura Serpentinata (Pycnopodia sapien) 05. Cenotes (Troglocambarus maclanei)

Links:
Giant Squid Facebook
Giant Squid Official