Rift Giant - Cataclysm

 

 

Rift Giant - Cataclysm
Planet K Records - May 2021
Sludge, thrash, stoner
Rated: *****

Cataclysm is the second rampaging full-length from Danish sludge duo Rift Giant, and it's a monster. Wielding crushing and intricate riffs like seasoned battle axes and battering rams for drums, the two-piece cut a noisy swathe across eight epic tracks. High on Fire immediately springs to mind as inspiration for the thrashy sludge, but the Danes succeed in carving out their own identity with a fury that would make Matt Pike proud. Opener "Into the Rift" accomplishes its mission statement by dragging the listener downward into an abyss of swirling guitar, eventually dropping them into a melee of rolling drums and galloping fuzz. The vocals are gargling and grating, a perfect fit for the filthy onslaught of noise. "Hubris" cranks it up another notch with "Fury Whip" level aggro, a mad dash of whiplash-inducing riffs and a razor sharp, barn burner of a solo. Not beholden to just the kinetic energy of thrash, Rift Giant keep things dynamic by smoothly transitioning between stomping, fuzzed out distortion and piercing, almost proggy guitar leads. "Queen Witch" continues this interplay, but it's soon an all-out sonic assault with the frantic and dizzying "Slaves, she made us". Cataclysm lives up to its name in the sheer power that the band churns out, even more impressive for the fact that it's just two guys behind the onslaught. This is no-holds-barred, turn-it-to-11 thrashy sludge, and there's no denying the unstoppable force that is Rift Giant.

(Written by Shasta Beast)

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