Gaupa
“Myriad”
Hard Rock, Stoner Rock
Released: 18 November 2022
via Nuclear Blast Records
Sometimes you find a band and you just have to think to yourself, where have you been and why have I never heard your music? The Swedish stoner rockers, Gaupa have been ringing in my head since this album crossed my path. I’ve immediately gone back through their discography and to my delight, they’re probably one of the most consistent bands I‘ve listened to in some time. Their music is just that right balance of riff, melody and power. They manage to walk that fine line between power and atmosphere. All while making their music a captivating experience. I’ll admit, they’re an acquired taste. You need to be in the right mindset to listen to their music. Suppose you’re in a spacey mood and need some deep-thinking music. I can’t recommend them enough. Their sound is truly something to behold and their second album, Myriad is an entertaining ride if you’re willing to follow the band into the hazy rock world they inhabit.
The album is filled with fuzzy riffs and slick basslines that are instantly great to the ear. The smooth guitars from Daniel Nygren and David Rosberg are something magical. The riffs are airy and heavy all at once and capture the perfect mood on every track. The slick bass work by Erik Sävström creates tension and release, working with the drums to make rhythms that get stuck in your head. All of that is tied nicely together with the beautiful and elegant vocals of Emma Näslund. The production of every song strikes such a wonderful chord and I felt so calm listening to their music. When the hard rock elements hit, they hit hard and burned their sound into my soul. I was so captivated by every song. The general vibe reminds me of Kyuss or Sleep. Myriad takes all of the best elements of stoner rock and plays with them, their sound feels totally different to anything in the genre today.
Obviously, this sound won’t be for everyone. I think you have to have a good stomach for spacey stoner rock. Their lyrics are rather surreal and you have to think about what they’re saying to feel the full impact. The band don’t say it like it is, it all feels quite cryptic and their music is designed to be listened to on multiple occasions, where you can break them down and internalise what the band is truly saying. I get it, that’s not everyone’s jam. People can be off put by bands that don’t just stick to reality and basic metaphors. However, I think the music is inviting enough that even the biggest naysayer would give this a chance.
Gaupa has followed up that first record with style here. They have remained consistent and refined their sound, and this will appear to the existing fans. While being on a larger record label will give them a further reach in the rock and metal community. They wear their influences on their sleeve, and as a result, their music has a certain personality and charm. I have to say this album has been just what I needed. I definitely recommend it!
9/10
Mick Birchall
Shiraz Lane, on the other hand, had a lot of enthusiastic fans waiting for them. What a roar exploded at Sala Caracol when they hit the stage! They haven’t released a full-length album since “Carnival Days”, back in 2018, but its follow-up should be out soon, as a few new songs are already rolling on YouTube. One of them, “Disconnect From The Matrix”, was posted two days after this show but the Finns already graced us with it. Such a fiery performance from all members, but it was obviously singer Hannes Kett who had the chance to dance and jump around more, as well as bond with the audience with heartfelt speeches. When announcing the last song – which got a loud “NO!” in response, especially when Hannes said they had to play the following night for “your friends in Barcelona” (I wonder if there’s any country with no rivalry between its major cities…) – he said we must remember that love is the most important thing, more than ever. Then their own version of Savage Garden’s “To The Moon And Back” was on and in the last moments of it, Hannes went into the crowd to sing among us.
I believe Gabriel Keyes was somewhat sick, or at least tired. Wait, let me rephrase it – his voice might have been tired, ‘cause the way he rocked that stage through and through was evidence of a powerful energy. It was the first time I was seeing him live, but I’d seen videos – including the Quarantine Thrills – so I know what his voice is capable of outside a recording studio. Changing the higher pitches into lower ones in order to not go out of tune was a bit disappointing at first, but eventually I got used to it and had to appreciate the effort (one CrashDïet gig cancelled was enough in my book). I’m still bummed that they didn’t play “Shine On”, though, as it’s probably my favorite song out of “Automaton” and I know they had played it in the previous dates of the tour. But listening to so many “oldies” such as “Tikket”, “It’s A Miracle” (dedicated to all of us, for being there after all the world’s been through in the past couple of years), “Breakin’ The Chainz” and “Queen Of Obscene” (yes, and “Riot In Everyone”, of course, but that one is mandatory) certainly made up for the absence of my most recent fav track. Curiously enough, despite being the “Automaton Tour”, they’ve only played two songs off it – “Together Whatever”,which opened the show and made everyone go wild right from the start, and later on “No Man’s Land”. And from “Rust”, the first album featuring Gabriel, only “Reptile” came up. It’s great to see he feels so comfortable singing all those songs he didn’t originally record – they’re CrashDïet songs and he’s their current (hopefully last!) lead singer. Period!
Valkyrian Music 