Nordic Giants are an enigmatic duo named Loki (piano, synths, trumpet, horns) and Roka (skins, cymbals, and bowed guitar) whose live performances are particularly noted with the participants dressed in feather suits and masks (as you do) with audience immersed in projections and effects. I was recommended this, their third studio effort, by a friend and would heartily recommend that readers take themselves off to Bandcamp and give this a listen and buy. For this is (mainly) instrumental rock which really packs a big punch in parts, but then entrances in others.

At the fore are the piano and keyboards, against which there some some thumping drums and cymbals. On opener, Philosophy of Mind, once the philosopher had completed his thoughts on life, the universe & etc., I was reminded of the opening chords of TV smash hit Line of Duty somehow. Throughout each track, though, what stands out is the excellence of the performances. A bit of psych here, a bit of trance there, some rollicking riffs, ambient sequences, and jazz all combining to provide the listener with an experience. I was struck with Anamorphia how the mid-section jazz state finishes with the ensemble then bursting into life with a wall of key sounds and thrashing percussion before the piano once again takes centre stage. Indeed, there simply isn’t the time to grow weary of a particular passage, because they are so adept at mood and time changes which demand your attention. It has to be stated that in their quieter and more introspective moments, the music is simply beautiful, and nowhere is this better played than on my personal favourite track, Hjem, which is majestic in its piano lead and accompanying soundscapes - in all likelihood, this is the type of music Floyd would be playing now if a certain Syd were a young man and they were out there plying their trade on the commencement of a journey to stardom.

Not all here is instrumental. There is a guest vocal by Alex Hedley on Faceless. The official video is below. Enjoy, because it is a sensitive, thoughtful piece of music which I am convinced must be influenced by Supertramp, especially circa Hodgson’s final album, Famous Last Words. A stunning track.

The other vocal contribution is by Freya on Spheres, a dreamy track in which she chants, vocalises, and sings above the base rhythm. This is another thoughtful piece of music best enjoyed in a dark room with the speakers turned up as loud as your neighbours can tolerate. The drums and cymbals again produce a crushing impact on the senses and the lead vocalist takes one to a soaring plane above all of this. When this fades out, we are taken to a wonderful piano solo and brass impacts in Spires of Ascendency which brings us back down to earth. Fans of Big Big Train’s instrumental moments with their brass ensemble will find a lot to enjoy in this track. The closer, Infinity, is a very clever piece of music with ambient keyboard effects punctuated by notes and soundscapes which, at times, make you catch your breath, prior to the start of the closing half cranking up the volume once again and producing a collection of all of the best which preceded it provoking much head shaking and toe tapping here in Lazland.

I have, in this review, referenced a few better known artists when writing down my thoughts, but I should make clear here that at no time do we hear anything remotely derivative from Nordic Giants. This piece of post-rock is pretty unique and is certainly a very enjoyable musical journey. If they do play near me in West Wales, I will be certain to go. Recommended.

The band’s website is at https://www.nordicgiants.co.uk/ and their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/nordicgiants