EP Review: Howling Giant – Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2 (Self Released)

Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2 is the sequel to Howling Giant’s 3 part EP series, Black Space Wizard. The EP is out on the 25th August 2017.

Hopefully for our returning fans, it is accepted with open arms and an open mind. As Part 2 of the 3 piece saga, this EP was meant to focus on the travels and trials of The Pioneer, protagonist, and last of mankind. The music reflects his growth and self discovery on a post-apocalyptic planet Earth. To new fans/fresh ears, we’d like to invite them into the Black Hole Space Wizard universe through fat stomping riffs, spacey grooves, accessible vocal melody and juicy, pulpy sci-fi madness. We always try to refine our song writing and take one step into new territory with each release, pulling stylistically from whatever inspires us in the moment. Our recorded music is our best interpretation of the sounds we hear in our heads, and our goal is to make our sonic visions clearer with each release.” says drummer Zach Wheeler.

Stoner rock but with a psychedelic fuzziness, the cosmic sounds of Black Hole Space Wizard are as challenging as they are exciting. With a blast of echoing guitar, spacey sound effects & other-worldly vocals, Henry Tate starts things off in an unsettling way. The Pioneer really ups things though, letting rip with that stoner fuzziness that just sounds fantastic. A vast improvement & one that raises the hope for the rest of the EP.

The thumping dark side of the EP comes along with the doom heavy Visions. It’s pace might be methodical but the groove littered throughout it just makes it sound so much more urgent.

As imaginative as the EP is at times, there are occasions where it walks the line of being a bit boring. This applies to the short 2 minute melody of The Forest Speaks. A song that has plenty of lightness & sweetness but inevitably goes nowhere.

Circle of Druids makes a decent play though for the best track on the EP. The groove heavy beat, bass & drums connecting wonderfully. There’s definitely some Baroness influences all over the record.

No-where is that more apparent then on the final track, Earth Wizard. The soaring vocals mixed with buzzing riffs & deep melody feels good but when the tempo briefly increases things just get better & better.

Howling Giant – Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2 Full Track Listing:

1. Henry Tate
2. The Pioneer
3. Visions
4. The Forest Speaks
5. Circle of Druids
6. Earth Wizard

You can order the EP & pick up Part 1 now via Bandcamp. Check out the band over on Facebook, Instagram & YouTube.