This is the first time (if I am not mistaken) that I come across a release from The End Records. I do not even know what kind of bands this label has. The album's cover, which by the way is amazing, gave me a first taste of what would follow. GIANT SQUID can be described as a pretty weird act and you will understand why by reading below...
GIANT SQUID were formed in 2004 in Austin, Texas, USA. The American metallers do not have what you would call a rich biography, since I didn't manage to find any other releases from this band, except this album. As you can easily understand, Metridium Field is the band's debut album, which is issued through The End. I don't even know how they managed to sign a contract. Who knows?
Anyway, GIANT SQUID's music cannot be put under any tag, since their influences range from modern post Metal stuff like MASTODON, ISIS and TOOL, to out of the Metal scene stuff like SONIC YOUTH, GOD SPEED YOU BLACK EMPEROR and PORTISHEAD. The fact that this is a debut album didn't seem to bother GIANT SQUID, that deliver an album with eight magnificent pieces of work covered with a more than good production. As we all know, this style of music needs raw guitars, low tuned instruments, a good rhythm section, a vocalist that can growl and sing normally at the same time and a great quantity of insanity. I think that this band follows every single rule and has the quality to become a hell of a nice rival for bands like MASTODON, ISIS, PELICAN, NEUROSIS and the elite of post Metal in general. Metridium Field features slow, as well as faster riffing that unfolds the band's composing abilities and drags the listener to dimensions he could never even think about. While I was listening to this album, I realized that if you hold this album in your hands, there is no need for drugs, this album ahs the same effect! There is only one word to describe it... Lost!
I am really glad to get to know GIANT SQUID and The End Records with such a release. The label just discovered a hidden underground gem that will probably figure in many magazine covers in the near future. I wish this band only the best for the future and I hope they keep releasing albums with the same quality (if there is such a word regarding music). Recommended for sure!