Album Review: Giant Walker – Silhouettes (Church Road Records)

Newcastle’s eclectic progressive rock outfit Giant Walker are back to deliver a master class in heaviness and musicianship. Their sophomore LP ‘Silhouettes’ is out through Church Road Records on the 20th of September 2024.

Anticipation is high, as high as it could ever be thanks to the singles we’ve had from the new album, but even then, it’s stunning to find a band living up to it and delivering their most complete work to date. Having learned so much in a short amount of time and grown in confidence to point where they seem to be buoyed by their imaginations rather than sunk by them.

This self-assurance results in an album that is hit after hit, showcasing a varied and deep sound, and living long in the memory thanks to an edge that often results in undeniable infectious sounds. From a riffy start with Time to Waste, the addictiveness of this album is there for all to have a taste of. The film of grungy groove that covers the entire thing caps off a fantastic opener. Then along comes Make Me to offer up even more energy with one of the album’s most versatile rock efforts. The anthemic chorus made even more powerful thanks to the thrilling vocal performance.

Wanting to showcase new dimensions to their sound, the following title track, Use on You, and Halcion showcase music with distinct parts. Where melancholic and heartfelt melody switches to robust heavy rockiness. There is thick, gloopy and moody heaviness. Dreamy intensity lies over everything, and the choruses are constantly and daringly catchy. This section of the album is where Giant Walker really hit their stride.

Across all these tracks, what came before, and what comes after, are weighty instruments and buoyant vocals. They’re a unit in complete sync, performing with all their might, and holding nothing back. It’s this, and a bit more of a dramatic tone, that makes the robust guitars and epic vocals of Eraser Obscurer so special.

Giant Walker are extremely adept at using melody to enhance the thickness of their rock sound, but they’re also not afraid to get quite heavy with it too. There are some impressively balanced pieces at the end of this album. First, as far as a substantial heavier sound goes, there is Round and Round. Then, as far a big, dreamy melody-focused sound goes, there is So You Say. Before What It’s Worth ends things in broad-minded fashion as Giant Walker look to ease things out in a more progressive way. It’s not the strongest track of the album, but it’s still a mighty fine closer none the less.

It’s the most minor complaint you’ll hear about this album as from beginning to end, it delivers on all expectations, and then some. Giant Walker’s development over the past few years is quite simply astonishing and Silhouettes is all the proof anyone needs of that statement.

Giant Walker – Silhouettes Track Listing:

1. Time To Waste
2. Make Me
3. Silhouettes
4. Use on You
5. Halcion
6. Eraser Obscurer
7. Round And Round
8. So You Say
9. What It’s Worth

Links

Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Church Road Records