CD Review: Ahab-The Giant(2012)

                                   Released May 25, 2012
                                    (Napalm Records)

This very foreboding sounding bands album takes sometime to get used too, as there is no constant sound or vocal style. First very clear vocals then into the death/doom voice.

(explains Foreboding) Noun:	Fearful apprehension; a feeling that something bad will happen.
Adjective:	Implying or seeming to imply that something bad is going to happen

There in lies why this album works so well is the unpredictability of it all, allot of bands have the same tricks this was a breath of fresh air.

The Giant is a series of premieres for AHAB. Not only does the album boast first time guest vocals (courtesy of ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen), it features all-original illustrated artwork, it was the band’s first time recording in a real studio as opposed to the comfort (and budget) of home, and they will embark on their first-ever European headline tour in the spring with ESOTERIC and OPHIS supporting. (band bio)

AHAB was inspired this time out by Edgar Allan Poe's work The Narrative Of Arthur Gordon Pym, a topic suggested by Wandernoth. (bio)

According to Hector, "We had some other books in mind, but it was this one which seemed to be the most fitting to the current state of AHAB. Not too far away from Moby Dick and Essex, but something totally different at the same time. It's quite a strange book, which is perfect for our music. It's a mixture of a sea-faring documentary, psychedelic fiction, and is also said to be autobiographical to some extent. So, there are many levels in interpreting this stuff." (bio)

All the same with the doom metal this album is very melodic in it's undertones and very well thought out, this is a great addition to a growing year of great albums. This easily is one of the best albums I have heard in the last couple of years, for its range of musical talent and vocal styles. I know some of you think musical talent and vocals are not possible on a Heavy Metal album but when you have listened to Hard Rock/Heavy Metal as long as I have-then yes there can be and there is here.

Thank you for reading this
written by(& compiled)by
Anthony Nadeau