Review Summary: Gaupa's weirdness is well-presented as with previous releases, but the straightforward structuring and slightly more polished production just might make for their most accessible release so fa
Gaupa’s occult doom with Bjork vocals template is one of the more interesting that I’ve come across in the scene and their sophomore album is certainly no exception. There’s a certain eccentric spirit felt in the musicianship as the vocal lines favor warped note choices set to bizarrely phrased melodies while the guitars showcase a mix of sharp chugs and disorienting rhythms punctuated with murky tones and effects. But while this setup would make Myriad feel a little too weird for the sake of weird, the band manages to keep things vibrantly coherent.
Having eight tracks spanning over thirty-six minutes certainly keeps things cohesive as the songs present their ideas with compact structures and catchy hooks. “Exoskeleton” starts the album off with some pummeling bass-heavy grooves and urgent vocals. “Diametrical Enchantress” might be the hookiest track despite its esoteric title as it rides an especially grungy riff set and infectious back-and-forth in the chorus while “RA” and “Elden” revel in cascading doom. The weirdest just might be saved for last though, as the ghostly “Somnen” bleeds into the ritualistic seven-minutes of the closing “Mammon.”
With how many of the bands I like to call ‘Bjork metal’ tending to opt for spooky slowness, it’s good to see Gaupa have some fun with the template on Myriad. Their weirdness is well-presented as with previous releases, but the straightforward structuring and slightly more polished production just might make for their most accessible release so far. The ingredients feel familiar but eclectic, making for original listening that is immediate but rewards further digestion. One of the more interesting heavy psych bands going now with promises of even more weirdness to come.
