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Angry Metal Guy<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/gigafauna-eye-to-windward-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Gigafauna – Eye to Windward Review</a>By KenstrosityEstablished in 2015, Swedish progressive sludge quartet Gigafauna toiled in obscurity, releasing a couple of albums and marching bravely forward into a heavily contested field. This is the first time they’ve graced our little corner of the blogosphere, reaching out to us via our contact form, pushing their third record Eye to Windward. Equipped with a gorgeous cover by the largely unsung <a href="https://www.moonrootart.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Moonroot Art</a>, what otherworldly creatures lie before me in Gigafauna’s Eye to Windward? ONWARDS!Gigafauna’s style is one unfettered by frills and fiddly fancies. Instead, it delivers a no-nonsense, stripped-down crunch reminiscent of early <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/yer-metal-is-olde-mastodon-leviathan/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Mastodon</a> and <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/warcrab-the-howling-silence-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Warcrab</a>. Balancing clean, proggy noodles with deathly chugs and vicious roars, Eye to Windward boasts a well-rounded palette of songwriting elements to give these 44 minutes plenty of ground to cover without exhausting Gigafauna’s stock of ideas. Tight writing, clever transitions, and engaging twists and turns make Eye to Windward a thoroughly enjoyable experience overall, while its dry and warm production invokes a certain grit to the affair that adds textural depth.Much of Eye to Windward takes full advantage of the full breadth of skills Gigafauna possess, but some of its best moments come from when Gigafauna’s songwriting is at its most focused. Highlights “Pyre” and “Beneath Sun and Sky” embody this truth with great aplomb; the former pushing the record’s heaviest material with an unearthly musculature, while the latter transcends physical heft for a more sophisticated, progressive lean. In both examples, chunky riffs form each track’s strong backbone, while multifaceted vocals span the gamut between death metal roars and sneering cleans to add variety, and unsettled rhythms contribute a tasteful complexity to keep things interesting. Longer format entries like “Plagued” and “Vessel” take advantage of their more expansive estates to house all permutations of Gigafauna’s sound in one unified piece. While “Vessel” is decidedly more successful in this regard—its main riff is one of the best on record, and the noodling leads in the back half contrast brilliantly with a bass counterpoint—both pull off the feat with respectable form.Where Eye to Windward falls a bit short is in excitement and distinctiveness. Opener “Drowning Light” is the most quintessential progressive sludge song ever, reminiscent of Mastodon as often as it is of <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/boss-keloid-family-the-smiling-thrush-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Boss Keloid</a>. The problem is that it is too reminiscent of those artists, and thereby fails to establish its own voice as Eye to Windward’s opening act. “Exogenesis” and “Withered Husk” perform admirably inside these boundaries, but once again struggle to break out of those confines and stake a new claim for their own. There are hints of evolution occurring there, especially in the soaring chorus and blackened rasps that pepper “Exogenesis,” but not quite enough to constitute a differentiated variation. By the grace of Gigafauna’s universally solid performances across the board, very little of this primary shortcoming negatively impacts the album experience in the moment, as Eye to Windward is thoroughly enjoyable while it plays. It’s only upon closer scrutiny that I recognize that Gigafauna needs to push a little harder to find their own voice if they want to stand out in the crowd.Overall, Eye to Windward is a solid installment in the progressive sludge pantheon. With hooky choruses, muscular riffing and rippling leads, rumbling bass counterpoint, and varied rhythms, all of the pieces exist to craft a killer record. The biggest roadblock to that goal is distinctiveness in songwriting. Gigafauna are on the cusp of finding a voice that stands out, clear and unmistakable, in every song they write. However, they haven’t nailed that level of consistency just yet. You’ll hear it in flashes, and those flashes pop with excitement and vitality. I look to the future with great expectations that Gigafauna will release a record that pops that way from start to finish. Rating: Good DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3 Label: Self Released Websites: <a href="http://gigafauna.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">gigafauna.bandcamp.com</a> | <a href="http://facebook.com/gigafauna" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">facebook.com/gigafauna</a> Releases Worldwide: May 16th, 2025<a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2025/" target="_blank">#2025</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/30/" target="_blank">#30</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/boss-keloid/" target="_blank">#BossKeloid</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/eye-to-windward/" target="_blank">#EyeToWindward</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/gigafauna/" target="_blank">#Gigafauna</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/mastodon/" target="_blank">#Mastodon</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/may25/" target="_blank">#May25</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/progressive-metal/" target="_blank">#ProgressiveMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/progressive-sludge/" target="_blank">#ProgressiveSludge</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/progressive-sludge-metal/" target="_blank">#ProgressiveSludgeMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/review/" target="_blank">#Review</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reviews/" target="_blank">#Reviews</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/self-released/" target="_blank">#SelfReleased</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/sludge/" target="_blank">#Sludge</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/sludge-metal/" target="_blank">#SludgeMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/swedish-metal/" target="_blank">#SwedishMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/warcrab/" target="_blank">#Warcrab</a>

Angry Metal Guy<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/moose-cult-book-of-the-machines-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Moose Cult – Book of the Machines Review</a>By KenstrosityUK progressive heavy/doom metal troupe Moose Cult should sound familiar to fans of the blog. Featuring members of <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/bull-elephant-the-long-war-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Bull Elephant</a>, <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/conglaciation-conglaciation-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Conglaciation</a>, <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/monsterworks-malignment-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Monsterworks</a>, <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/the-anchoret-it-all-began-with-loneliness-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Anchoret</a>, and <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/thun-ii-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Thūn</a>, Moose Cult constitute a new installment in the Eat Lead and Die canon of artists that we’ve covered over the last decade. This project focuses on generalized environmental issues and human folly, justifying somewhat the band’s self-assigned moniker of “Envirometal.” While that does a poor job of illustrating what it is that Moose Cult plays beyond the scope of lyrical theme and content, sophomore record Book of the Machines won’t puzzle listeners nearly as much as the bespoke genre tag might.Moose Cult’s closest living relative in the metalverse is very clearly Bull Elephant. Wild combinations of gritty heavy metal, aggressive doom, progressive metal and a touch of the extreme characterize Book of the Machines’ thirty-eight minutes. Gruff vocals reminiscent of <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/boss-keloid-family-the-smiling-thrush-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Boss Keloid</a> fused with <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/butcher-666-goats-carry-my-chariot-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Bütcher</a> passionately deliver lyrics that tackle a wide array of uniquely human quandaries. Meanwhile, lurching guitars and pounding skins—along with an impressive variety of different blast beat variations—provide the muscle to move that kind of potentially weighty messaging. Moose Cult aren’t the first band to concern themselves with environmental matters, but their more vague, generalized approach to that theme differs greatly from the more story-driven, niche nature of Bull Elephant’s material. Whether that is a boon or a detractor is up for debate. However, I maintain that using a near-carbon copy of Bull Elephant’s blueprint to unleash a shotgun blast against human greed and mankind’s disregard for the environment, rather than crafting a more distinct sound to enact a focused attack on a specific environmental issue, works against Moose Cult’s favor.Book of the Machines’ greatest fumble extends beyond plagiarism of sister projects’ style and application. A more damning lack of memorable songwriting leaves me with little of consequence to hold on to after the record concludes. Enjoyable and entertaining in the moment, stronger cuts like “Erewhon,” “Curse of Creation,” “Earth(l)ing,” and “Book of the Machines” do offer small nuggets worth preserving. “Curse of Creation” in particular features a beautiful, psychedelic ambience in its midsection that immerses me in vivid, kaleidoscopic light, only to bring me crashing back down to a ruined Earth a minute later. Highly effective puts it mildly. However, these moments aren’t strong enough to carry any song on its own, let alone an entire album filled with solid lyrical ideas that never got the development they deserved. Across Book of the Machines’ runtime, passages shift and shimmy with an arbitrary sort of movement that jostles arrangements enough to destabilize them. Put another way, this record is not a smooth one, and consequently feels disjointed and unsteady.Despite its awkward songwriting and flimsy messaging, Book of the Machines holds potential. Throat singing embellishments and fantastic soloing help elevate tracks like “Gateway to Evolving Thought” and “Headless Cult” almost enough to establish a trademark sound for the band. Closer “Book of the Machines” accomplishes a similar feat, albeit with a completely different approach that evokes a more extreme variant of <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/killing-joke-pylon-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Killing Joke</a>. If Moose Cult buckles down and unifies these more differentiated elements into a unique, but cohesive, palette that better stands on its own, all the better for future efforts. On the other hand, Moose Cult nailed the production with Book of the Machines. Rich, warm, textured, and dynamic, this record blooms with vibrant color and its varying instrumentation strikes an ideal clarity that deftly avoids an over-polished sheen.Overall, I am disappointed with Moose Cult so far. I am a longtime fan of Bull Elephant and have heard good things about several of these artists’ other projects, but this record isn’t what it could’ve been. Between the sparse substance behind its theme and the plagiaristic nature of its musical content, Book of the Machines offers a substandard proof of concept that makes it difficult to buy in. Without focusing its message and finding a unique—or at least more creative—voice with which to express it, this record fails to make an impact. Therefore, I recommend passing on it, hanging tight, and waiting to hear where Moose Cult go from here. Rating: Disappointing. DR: 11 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3 Label: <a href="https://www.supermetal.net/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Eat Lead and Die Music</a> Website: <a href="http://moosecult.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">moosecult.bandcamp.com</a> Releases Worldwide: September 6th, 2024<a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/20/" target="_blank">#20</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2024/" target="_blank">#2024</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/book-of-the-machines/" target="_blank">#BookOfTheMachines</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/boss-keloid/" target="_blank">#BossKeloid</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/bull-elephant/" target="_blank">#BullElephant</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/butcher/" target="_blank">#Bütcher</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/conglaciation/" target="_blank">#Conglaciation</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/doom-metal/" target="_blank">#DoomMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/eat-lead-and-die-music/" target="_blank">#EatLeadAndDieMusic</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/heavy-metal/" target="_blank">#HeavyMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/killing-joke/" target="_blank">#KillingJoke</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/monsterworks/" target="_blank">#Monsterworks</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/moose-cult/" target="_blank">#MooseCult</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/progressive-metal/" target="_blank">#ProgressiveMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/psychedelic-metal/" target="_blank">#PsychedelicMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/review/" target="_blank">#Review</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reviews/" target="_blank">#Reviews</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/sep24/" target="_blank">#Sep24</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/the-anchoret/" target="_blank">#TheAnchoret</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/thun/" target="_blank">#Thūn</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/uk-metal/" target="_blank">#UKMetal</a>

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