| Musical Style: AOR / Melodic Rock | Produced By: Jimmy Hotz |
| Record Label: Chapel Lane / Retroactive | Country Of Origin: UK |
| Year Released: 1981 / 2024 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 9 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 34:16 |
Albums do not dwell in the hearts and minds of hard music fans more than four decades because they’re bad, and Giantkiller sophomore effort Whose Side You On? remains as fresh a listen as when it was released 43 years ago. Credit in this capacity Retroactive Records, whom in December of 2024 re-mastered (courtesy of producer Jimmy Hotz) and re-issued Whose Side You On? for the first time on CD (300 copies). Layout and design including write-ups from guitarist Pete Gilgan and Hotz in addition to a band biography attributes to Scott Waters (No Life Til Metal Graphics).
Hotz might be best known for his 1980 progressive rock classic Beyond The Crystal Sea, but his production abilities prove no less able resulting in a rich and layered sound in which all instrumentation cleanly separates. No small role in this regard attributes to Kemper Crabb (ArkAngel), who assisted Hotz in mixing the album.
Giantkiller traces to 1977 when guitarist and co-lead vocalist Pete Gilgan founded it as a semi-acoustic trio in Middlesbrough in the Northeast of England. Groups 1980 debut The Alternative, however, realized a rawer and edgier sound rooted in punk rock and new wave. Whose Side You On? ensued a year later on UK label Chapel Lane Records but was re-titled Valley Of Decision for US distribution by Star Song Records.
An online countdown of the 500 Best CCM Albums in which Whose Side You On? placed 265th, recommended it for fans of Lifesavors, Undercover, The Imitators and The Choir, while also making a Euro music comparison to Ishmael, The Predators and Alwyn Wall. Keeping in mind each persons experience with an album will be different and that the 500 Best CCM Albums analysis by no means misses the mark, but what I hear in Giantkiller is AOR and melodic rock with a strong keyboard emphasis, albeit rhythm guitar makes no less a statement. If I were to offer comparison, I would add to the list White Heart, Sweet Crystal, Battlecry and Petra.
Hence, opening cut “Living For Today”, a mirthful heavy rocker in which radiant keyboards hold sway over the delicate verse sections and crisp rhythm guitar the buffeting refrain. No, not hard rock but telling all the same, particularly as found in Gilgan’s enterprising lead guitar work (sort of like Brian Wooten of Follower and White Heart). I take to the final minute as vocalist Raphael Doyle continuously repeats ‘hallelujah, I am living for today!’
“Hot Nor Cold” ensues in a slower direction in which guitar plays a lesser role and luminous keyboards relocate to the front of the mix. A thickly woven low end marks the song its distance, referencing Alan Hiscox’s emphatic bass line, alongside adorned vocal melodies uplifting the heartened melody to inspire. The keyboard line is quite catchy with an almost new wave feel, which potentially attributes to the alternative references in the 500 Best CCM Albums review.
As its title implies, “Power To Power” is albums heaviest. It crosses the hard rock threshold, bristling guitars maneuver to the forefront for the able-bodied refrain, although guitar temper to an outlying direction for the relaxed verse sections. It deserves note the skillfully done keyboard work of Paul Herbst.
My favorite ensues in the six and half minute “Into The Eighties”. Song proves laid-back and easy going, flowing its length in affable fashion as delicate guitars underline Hammond B3 all the while Doyle impresses with his warm and rich middle register vocal qualities. The deft saxophone solo over the final two minutes perfectly aligns with the songs moody nature (sort of like Rez Band’s “Every Time It Rains” off Rainbow’s End from 1979).
“We Have Got To Get Together” blithely starts albums second side, winsome with its opening drum solo and assertive tempo but also tangible as every bit buoyant hooks and recurrent rhythm guitar play pivotal roles. Group remains locked in a sturdy groove to point early DeGarmo & Key comes to mind. That said, at two and half minutes song ends abruptly without having opportunity to further grow and build (it deserves to be extended an extra minute or two).
“No More Sin” takes a slower and moodier AOR influenced heading. It impresses as feathery with refined keyboards and punchy bass playing forward roles for the distinguished verse sections, not elevating until bursting of verve upon acquiring a refrain repeating songs title in unbroken fashion. One cannot deny the early eighties CCM nuances.
Follow up cut “Wounded Soldiers” is also too abbreviated at just over two minutes. Otherwise, however, it is musically solid as a mirthful rocker coordinating acoustic guitar and lifted keyboards with a pleasing melody. Lead guitar touches upon hard rock.
Anti abortion song “Holocaust” separates with its distinctions. On one hand, you have moments in which imposing keyboards carry over revived rhythms and warmly tinctured vocals; on the other, restrained passages temper to ethereal guitar, stout bass and clapping hands. Said variances point to a progressive aspect, keeping in mind I hesitate to place such a label on Giantkiller. That said, one of albums finer moments.
Albums closing title track allows Steve Purton to stand out with his arresting timekeeping, beginning with his opening drum solo and manner in which his pervasive rolls and fills play a forward role the songs distance. Keyboards also make a mark as “Whose Side You On?” moves its span continually repeating its title in form of a plea. Not unlike “Holocaust”, there is a high level of creativity here.
Repeat listen to Whose Side You On? reveals something to like about each of its tracks, whether keyboard or guitar focused; straightforward or progressive; fleet and expeditious or slower. It equates to a work that makes for a fresh listen in that no two songs sound the same. Talent at hand plays a role in this capacity, referencing not just the abilities of each band member but also the producer Hotz and cohort Kemper Crabb. Lone constructive comment is a couple songs could have been extended an extra minute or two. I also wish lyrics had been included, but they might not be available after over 40 years.
Overall, however, I find it a challenge to pigeonhole Giantkiller in terms of genre. Yes, the group derives upon AOR and light alternative aspects but songwriting in certain instances extends beyond the verse-chorus-verse boundaries to either form. Perhaps most accurate might be alternative melodic rock? Regardless, Whose Side You On? proves musically solid all the same. Thanks to Retroactive Records for making it available on CD for the first time.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Living For Today” (3:45), “Hot Nor Cold” (2:57), “Power To Power” (3:16), “Into The Eighties” (6:28), “We Have Got To Get Together” (2:38), “No More Sin” (3:54), “Wounded Soldiers” (2:14), “Holocaust” (3:53), “Whose Side You On?” (4:19)
Musicians
Raphael Doyle - Lead Vocals
Pete Gilgan - Guitars
Paul Herbst - Keyboards
Alan Hiscox - Bass
Steve Purton - Drums
