ALBUM REVIEW: Gods Of Pangaea – Tiktaalika
Master craftsman Charlie Griffiths, who most will be acquainted with through his stellar contributions to HAKEN, has never been afraid to experiment, with a variety of other projects to add to his list of accolades. His debut solo album, entitled Tiktaalika, received a wealth of praise back in 2022 and thusly he adopted the name for his latest effort. Gods Of Pangaea is available now via InsideOut Music and has been coined as his tribute to “the art of the guitar riff”, paying homage to the bands that paved the way and reprising his collaborations with a who’s who of elite frontmen in the form of Daniël de Jongh (TEXTURES), Vladimir Lalić (ORGANISED CHAOS) and Thomas Giles (BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME).
Tyrannicide hops straight into alluring thrash hooks littered with snappy riff sequences and frenzied drum work. Exactly how you want to make an entrance. Gods Of Pangaea is equally as addictive, if you’re not banging your head or playing air guitar along to the powerful grooves and alluring melodies you’re simply dead inside. The Forbidden Zone opts for a stomping, impactful pacing with an impressive array of vocal stylings to add another dimension to proceedings.
Mesozoic Mantras offers up twisting and turning thematics with charming instrumentation that has you gripped from the first note. Soaring vocal segments send shivers down your spine. Fault Lines slams its foot on the accelerator, smashing through waves of swift riffing with impeccable precision. The combination of crunchy heaviness and the theatrical vocal prowess possessed by PROTEST THE HERO‘s Rody Walker is a masterful decision.
Give Up The Ghost dishes out another adrenaline-fuelled composition jammed to the brim with inviting vocal tones and slick rhythms that effortlessly burrow into your memory. Lost Continent commences with funky bass lines and commanding swagger before hastily racing off over the horizon. In a similar vein to Walker, Giles plays a pivotal role, providing his impressive vocal range to bring gritty aggression intertwined with soulful melody. Sublime lead work adds the cherry on this very satisfying cake. Instrumental bonus track Chicxulub allows its unique eccentricity to shine through, shifting forms as it progresses. Potent shredding, quirky intricacies, and clever layering all play their parts to perfection.
Whilst Griffiths continues to leave a firm imprint in the realm of progressive metal, he has shown with TIKTAALIKA that he can more than hold his own in the frenetic thrash metal arena. Gods Of Pangaea is a thrill ride from beginning to end, never once becoming dull or repetitive. The assist from the blockbuster cast of vocalists at his disposal elevates his tantalising musicianship to the next level, making this effort a joy to experience.
Rating: 8/10
Gods Of Pangaea is out now via InsideOut Music.
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