GODS OF PANGAEA (AS TIKTAALIKA)

Thrashed-up prog metal and Jurassic theology prevail on Charlie Griffiths' second solo release 'Gods of Pangaea', as the Haken guitar player adopts the name of his debut album as his artistic moniker for this 2025 project. This is a direct and really fine follow-up to the 2022 'Tiktaalika' album, with many of the fabulous vocalists making their returning appearances on 'Gods of Pangaea', delivering an even more unbridled, cathartic performance as this gorgeous album marks a greater influence from 80s thrash metal, with Megadeth being one of the ostensible references. The eight tracks making up the album vary from standard-length pieces to lengthier epics that explore different movements, riffs and chord progressions, on an album that definitely not only preserves but expands the prog-metal pedigree of its creator and aims to act as a bridging entity between the seemingly incompatible worlds of thrash and prog.

Opener 'Tyrannicide' is a fast-paced, riff-heavy rocker that introduces a more classic metal feel, definitely one of the more aggressive numbers on here. This is followed by the 9-minute-long title track, a quirkier and more technically adept piece with memorable hooks and a great chorus, leading the listener to the gnarly 'The Forbidden Zone', with the album once again returning to a more riff-driven thrash sound with some harsh vocals swiveling around the heavy guitars. 'Mesozoic Mantras' is one of the highlights of the album, a more technical number that exhibits a dense, layered and intricate sound, very prominent in today's progressive metal. Then comes the Anthrax-ish 'Fault Lines' and the catchy 'Give Up the Ghost', both of which are more straightforward. The eighth track is a gorgeous and heavy ride, with the instantly recognizable vocals of Tommy Rogers from BTBAM. The final track is a fun instrumental, a very labyrinthian riff rampage. The entire record is very consistent and perhaps even more illustrative of Griffiths' songwriting skills than its predecessor, a welcome and well-executed blend of prog metal with thrash and groove metal influences.

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