METRIDIUM FIELDS

Giant Squid is an interesting band that's alone at what they're doing. A unique band that manages to sound fresh and innovative within the realms of the prog metal genre. Take the crunchy guitars from the post-metal genre, but milder; the vocals from System of a Down, but less crazy; the pomposity of prog bands (psychedelic Hammond organ included) and add some couple more things to the mix and you'll get Giant Squid.

Metridium Fields is a pseudo-eclectic album that has different themes and styles mixed in the album. Of course, the main theme here is sea creatures and all things related and they manage to emulate the ocean's atmosphere quite nicely (like Jackie's vocals sounding like a siren or guitar riffs giving impressions of the waves). To help create this they used instruments like the theremin, banjo, trumpet, cello and a variety of keyboards that also help make the album a diverse and more colorful experience. The vocals here are a major role in the emotional department, they're very eloquent and melodramatic. The duos of Aaron and Jackie are just as good as the ones heard in Grayceon (it isn't much of a surprise since she's a member of Grayceon as well). Just like the vocals, the music here is emotional first and complex second (or third...) so it makes for an accessible listen that many people will greatly enjoy.

By the end of the album every song seem to be just perfect with little or no flaws at all, pompous and just plain good, but sadly the album looses some steam in the 20 minute "Metridium Fields". It isn't a by any means a bad song, but it overstays its welcome. I don't mind repetition at all, but the song doesn't really fits the tempo or mood of the album. Personally, I wish it would've been a bit shorter, the album would've been a real winner.

Don't let the previous remark discourage you, this is still one heck of an album worth listening. Fresh and innovative prog metal that's easy to appreciate and hard to put down. It's quite hard to describe their music in words so I left out many of the things that makes this album so good, but if interested feel free to give Giant Squid a listen, you won't be disappointed.

3.8 - 4 out of 5