By Andrew Bansal
Based out of Ventura, California, Gygax features former Gypsyhawk frontman Eric Harris and guitarist Bryant Throckmorton, and was founded in 2015 on musical foundations similar to that of Gypsyhawk, and the band’s name, lyrics and imagery inspired by Gary Gygax and Dungeons & Dragons. Gygax continues from where Gypsyhawk left off with their breakup in 2014. Harris and Throckmorton found Ventura-based musicians Armand John Lizzy (guitar) and Justin Dempsey (drums) to complete the Gygax lineup, and after a handful of impressive live performances in California, they are now ready to release their debut album ‘Critical Hits’ via Creator-Destructor Records on January 22nd 2016.
For starters, Gygax isn’t a raging aggressive hard rock or heavy metal band, and while the musical stylings are derivative of Gypsyhawk, this band employs a more classic, laid-back, ’70s rock approach. But it’s done with such aplomb and skill, and put forth so precisely through a 9-track, 32-minute LP, that it’s bound to compel metalheads as well as classic hard rock fans to take notice. To begin with, songs like ‘Lesser Magick’ and ‘World Breaker’ set the tone perfectly with some delightful Lizzy-esque twin guitar harmonies, but the album gets into its groove with track #3 ‘Draw Breath’ wherein the main recurring guitar harmony is guaranteed to stick in your head for all eternity. You’d think the album has hit its peak too early and can’t possibly do any better than this song, but it sure does, as ‘Chain Lightning’ proves to be a boogie rock gem. Certain to be a favorite among Gypsyhawk fans, this one has all it takes to get those dancing shoes on. It’s followed by ‘Demons’, arguably the finest composition on the album. Preceding these two songs, ‘Critical Hits’ also offers short, slow jams ‘The Rope Of Shadow’ and ‘Dirge Of A Deposed Duke’, and ends out strong with the songs ‘Liliana’ and ‘The Hunter’s Heart’.
A 32-minute album may seem short for a full-length LP, but ‘Critical Hits’ does not give the listener that feeling at all, implying that Gygax have hit the nail on the head with this one. The spirit and influence of legendary bass-playing frontmen like Phil Lynott and Lemmy is strong in Eric Harris’ contribution on this album, the Lynott inspiration perhaps more dominant in Gygax than it ever was in Gypsyhawk. He seems to have found the right bandmates for this project, as the smooth flow and undeniable cohesiveness that decorates ‘Critical Hits’ from start to finish clearly showcases the strong chemistry between the quartet. The production does full justice to the sonic brilliance of ‘Critical Hits’, and the cover artwork ties in excellently with the band’s name and theme, altogether making for a worthy purchase to start off the year of 2016. The bottom line is, if you loved Gypsyhawk, you will worship Gygax.
Rating: 9.5/10
Record Label: Creator-Destructor
Release Date: January 22nd 2016
Track Listing:
01. Lesser Magick
02. World Breaker
03. Draw Breath
04. The Rope of Shadow
05. Dirge For A Deposed Duke
06. Chain Lightning
07. Demons
08. Liliana
09. The Hunter’s Heart
Gygax links: facebook | instagram
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