Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA | Phase 2 is a wonderful release from Huntsville, Alabama's Daikaiju! Psychedelic surf with strong film score imagery. It always takes me a bit to warm to Daikaiju, in part because they are so very original. But within a few minutes, I am re-impressed and totally hooked. This is extremely creative, progressive surf with edge and style. |
Picks: Flight Of Garuda, Laser Runner, Za Feijingu Supaidaa Kyoui, Choujikuu Mitsukai, Jellyfish Sunrise, Mr. Smooth Star, Shooting The Wormhole, Forcefield Lifts Over Neon City, Zombie Harem
Track by Track Review
Escape From Nebula M Spacehunter 
Surf (Instrumental)
Muted guitar patterns cycle into big chord drama. The melody line is rather film score theme-like, with very cool tom tom action. A bit on the angular side, and very well played.
Surf (Instrumental)
Splashy chords and whammy, with a melody that's more mathematical than fluid. Double picked lines and substantial drama. "Flight Of Garuda" has a sci-fi feel to it - in a robot kind of way.
Art Surf (Instrumental)
Right from the hammered bass line you know that "Laser Runner" is going to be special. Its vibrato guitar and military beat are relentless. The rising feedback swells to a splendid crescendo. This song creates an eerie and scary scene. drama, sophistication, and creativity abound!
Za Feijingu Supaidaa Kyoui Surf (Instrumental)
Dark double picked excitement and tension, and simply superb high note double picked mayhem in rich echoed stereo... very cool contrast. Major drama and danger throughout. Immense and intense.
Art Surf (Instrumental)
Dramatic chords and ice flow chills, with a dangerous and menacing melody line. This is powerful in a film score kinda way, with glissandos for good measure. The melody is adventurous in a traveling down the highway vein.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a seriously dramatic and artful piece. It rises from spooky sounds to a gently cycling riff before taking on a much larger stature. Its superb bass is almost reggae like, while the layers of guitars portray a psychedelic swirl of spatial sound and glory. Brilliant feedback and sustain, and wonderful atmospherics. Almost mermen-like at times, "Jellyfish Sunrise" is a masterwork.
Surf (Instrumental)
Power and angularity drive "Mr. Smooth Star" into anything but smooth space. Intense and dramatic with a nervous edge and double picked frenzies.
Surf (Instrumental)
More like a regular surf instro than most Daikaiju songs, "Shooting The Wormhole" is a diversion into the world of reverb and oceanic melody. Very fast picking and splendid arranging.
Forcefield Lifts Over Neon City Surf (Instrumental)
Oozing electronic swirl eases in kick drum, then the rest of the kit along with picked bass. The lead guitar pattern is muted and over the top cool! The second guitar is more traditional. Both cycle in relentless patterns ever evolving. "Forcefield Lifts Over Neon City" is very engaging.
Surf (Instrumental)
Middle Eastern themes lend themselves well to the intensity of Daikaiju's style. Thick and dangerous, driving, and beautifully harsh. A thoroughly original piece of music with a very enticing sound. Heavy and ominous with adventure.