Although not the most succinct name for a band, Giants, Dwarfs and Black Holes certainly picked one that portrays their outer spaciness on a debut album that combines so many genres into one enjoyable whole (see what I did there?!). Everwill is the name and, over the five tracks and forty-two minutes, they skillfully blend rock, psych, blues, prog and even the odd jazz, grunge and doom influence. Remarkably, it does work and this German four-piece is one to watch when they are able to get out into a live environment because I’m sure these will transfer well into lovely spacey jams.
Opener ‘Blood Moon’ has the heavy psyche feel of Priest’s Rock Rolla but slightly more languid and just as enticing; Luzzi’s vocals fit the backing so well as she blends pitch-perfect with bite and a guitar solo has inventiveness and variation. ‘Frightful Pain’ slows the pace with another psyche feeling start that, this time, reminds me a little of Golden Earring on the superb Moontan to start with but with some seriously hefty interludes that originate in the furnace of 70s rock, especially as the tempo increases toward the close… Sabbath fronted by Toyah anyone?
‘December Bloom’ has a glorious bass and lead intro as it slowly builds atmosphere before a tasteful, well thought out picked solo of quality. ‘Electric Black’ ups the pace again with bass and snare, then guitar interplay results in a neat rock riff: at just over four minutes this eastern tinged rocker is over before you know it. They still manage to fit in a slower and imaginative bridge section with a lovely bass performance behind it all. Final track, ‘In The Circle’ is just shy of fifteen minutes and packs as much into it as some bands fail to do in a whole album, with so many flourishes embedded that it takes a few listens to appreciate all of the technical excellence therein.
This is an engaging mix of all that is good in progressive (not prog) rock and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it and will continue to do so. Well worth seeking out, and soon to be available in vinyl.
