REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: June 12, 2021

SIKTH – Death Of A Dead Day

Sikth are progressive tech metallers from the UK that formed back in ’99. This is their second album from 2006. They were way ahead of their time, and influenced a lot of the underground djent bands that incorporated a lot of Sikth’s grooves into their music. At times, they are supremely technical with very heavy grooves and rhythms. The band actually disbanded in 2007, as they thought they had achieved what they set out to do, and various band members would embark on a myriad of projects before reconvening in 2013.

Summer Rain is one of the Sikth tracks I love the most. Switching from clean to scream vocals, the music switches and changes constantly and doesn’t let the listener zone into a single groove. Epic stuff! Sanguine Seas Of Bigotry is a another tune that defies logic. How they pull this off live I do not know. They turn it down a notch or two and let the melody shine through occasionally like on In This Light, which is a beautiful interlude.

If you like your rock and metal straight up then this is not for you. It’s another in the series of “if you want to expand your musical horizons then give it a go”.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

GIANT – Last Of The Runaways

Yet another melodic rock band that appeared at the end of the ’80s. Giant was the brainchild of the Huff brothers, Dan and David, who were previously in the Christian rock band, White Heart. The band split up in the early ’90s, and Dan Huff made a name for himself in the country music scene – both as a hot shot producer and writer.

Dan definitely pulls the strings in the band. As well as being the lead vocalist, he is an amazing guitar player, and the intro to the first track, I’m A Believer, shows this perfectly. A great virtuoso piece and a superb melodic rock track. This sets the tone for the whole record, great songs with superb melodies that are well written and played. They had a hit single with the ballad I’ll See You In My Dreams, but it’s not the best track by far. I Can’t Get Close Enough is a great tune with a slow rock groove and killer riff – plus a superb solo and is definitely a contender. No Way Out is a cool track with a nice funk rock groove, big chorus and a very tasty solo. They do try to change things up from the standard hair rock anthems and ballads. Stranger To Me starts with a cool bass line and slow rock shuffle, and is great song that stands out from the others. Last track, The Big Pitch, has a bit of a Van Halen vibe – especially the riff – and closes the album out in style.

A very slick well produced record that does exactly what it sets out to do.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.