Tuesday 5 January 2016

Garganjua - "A Voyage in Solitude" (Album Review)

By: Chris Bull

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 29/01/2016
Label: Hibernacula Records |
Black Bow Records



'A Voyage In Solitude' bursts through the speakers triumphantly, like a lonely knight back from the Crusades, suffering, but ultimately glad to be back, 'Extinction' with it's solemn, sobering overtones, lays down meaty slabs of despair for the listener to indulge in. Some gut wrenching growls are also presented courtesy of bass player Gaz Owen and with the doom scene becoming a little stagnant of late, it's good to hear a band brandishing weapons of melody and having the balls to use them when the situation calls for it. A solid first album from these lot.


“A Voyage in Solitude” CD//DD track listing:

1). Witch Horder
2). Isolation
3). A Voyage in Solitude
4). Extinction

The Review:

Fans of majestic doom take note; this is an album for you! With only four tracks but measuring in at over 40 minutes, you know you're going to get something epic. Produced by the masterful Chris Fielding, this packs a weighty punch!

'Witch Horder' kicks things off with its low paced riffing and growling vocals repeating itself without being repetitive. Five and a half minutes in, we go double time and vocalist Scott shows off his impressive pipes. Following from this is the gloriously depressive yet uplifting 'Isolation'. Guitarists Gazz and Scott give us some Maiden - esque harmonies at a quarter of the speed...and I dare you not to get the vocal melody stuck in your head. Quite possibly the pick of the bunch here, this song has all the characteristics of an epic doom classic in the Candlemass/Pallbearer vein.

'A Voyage In Solitude' bursts through the speakers triumphantly, like a lonely knight back from the Crusades, suffering, but ultimately glad to be back. Lastly, 'Extinction' with it's solemn, sobering overtones, lays down meaty slabs of despair for the listener to indulge in. Some gut wrenching growls are also presented courtesy of bass player Gaz Owen. The clean delay heavy guitars break through like rays of sunshine through thick clouds. Don't abandon all hope just yet! Life can be good!

With the doom scene becoming a little stagnant of late, it's good to hear a band brandishing weapons of melody and having the balls to use them when the situation calls for it. A solid first album from these lot.


“A Voyage in Solitude” is available here

Band info: bandcamp | facebook