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A tale as old as time. We have all spotted the Giant Squid out in the deep sea as we travel the open waters. I seem to remember a giant squid in Michael Crichton’s book, The Sphere. Anyhow, if the band Mastodon decided to take sedatives and become more of a doom neurosis band, then I could imagine them sounding as such. The music, while mellow in construction, does ring out with volume, ala noticeable production credit from one of my favorites, Billy Anderson. This five-piece band consists of brothers, Mike (guitar) and Tim (keyboards, Trumpet) Conroy, Bryan Beeson (bass), and husband & wife Aaron (guitar, vocals) and Aurielle (guitar, vocals) Gregory. They hail from northern California, but recently moved to Austin, Texas. The amalgamation of musical genres that Giant Squid presents before us, are tightly orchestrated and interwoven together in such a way that it will take several listens to fully understand how complex the music really is. It is not difficult listening by any means. In fact the music is quite soothing, while also remaining heavy and haunting. The journey you will take with Giant Squid is well worth your time. Sure many bands worship Neurosis, but Giant Squid hits the nail on the head.

- Andy Smyth