For the second installment of their 'Turned to Stone' split 12" series, focusing on unique pairings from across the heavy underground, Ripple Music invited Nashville's psych-metal purveyors HOWLING GIANT and Somerset's own cosmic fuzz groovers SERGEANT THUNDERHOOF to deliver two interconnected 20-minute epics telling the story and face-off of legendary Japanese sword smiths Muramasa and Masamune.
Listen to an excerpt of Howling Giant's track "Masamune" HERE
Instead of the typical approach with two bands contributing stand-alone sides of a record, Howling Giant and Sergeant Thunderhoof wanted to write an album that was thematically and sonically cohesive. The result is a 40-minute piece of ambitious songcraft created by two riff-prog legends leaving another impressive mark on the heavy rock landscape. 'Turned To Stone Chapter II: Masamune & Muramasa' will be issued on August 7th via Ripple Music, and available to preorder now on: - Rare Test Pressing LP - Magma Edition Galaxy Vinyl LP (black and pink marbling) - Bedrock Edition Splatter Vinyl LP (green and black splatter) - Landslide Edition Classic Black Vinyl LP
HOWLING GIANT / SERGEANT THUNDERHOOF "Turned to Stone Chapter II: Masamune & Muramasa" Out August 7th on Ripple Music European preorder // US preorder
HOWLING GIANT comment: "We were so stoked to do the split with Sergeant Thunderhoof. After talking with those guys we both agreed that we wanted to do something a little different. Instead of the typical approach, where two bands each record a side of a record and the music remains completely independent, we wanted to create a record that feels like one complete thought performed by two bands, rather than two mini albums crammed onto a shared vinyl record. We decided to tell the story of two legendary Japanese sword smiths, Muramasa and Masamune, in which these they have a contest to determine who the superior sword smith is. They each crafted a blade of masterwork quality and held their contest at the rivers edge. We thought it would be cool to each record a 20 minute song telling the tale from our chosen sword smiths perspective. We then shared melodic ideas with the dudes in Sergeant Thunderhoof to insure a cohesive flow throughout the entirety of the record."
SERGEANT THUNDERHOOF add: "I don't think we realised what an undertaking it would be to write and record a continuous 20 minute epic. We were a little apprehensive at what the response would be from Howling Giant and Todd and Jadd at Ripple. Luckily for us, everyone seemed to love it and a short time later, Howling Giant submitted their half which was a revelation. I have to say that the final product is something I'm really proud of. I really do see this as a fully realised concept LP rather than just a split release. I'm proud of what both bands have done and I hope other people find it as rewarding as we did."
HOWLING GIANT LINKS Facebook⎪Bandcamp⎪Instagram
SERGEANT THUNDERHOOF LINKS Facebook⎪Bandcamp⎪Instagram
RIPPLE MUSIC LINKS Facebook⎪Bandcamp⎪Website | Store