Tiktaalika Charlie Griffiths

• 1 Prehistoric Prelude 02:14
• 2 Arctic Cemetery 06:06
• 3 Luminous Beings 05:57
• 4 In Alluvium 08:13
• 5 Dead in the Water 08:45
• 6 Digging Deeper 04:31
• 7 Tiktaalika 08:34
• 8 Crawl Walk Run 05:06
• 9 Under Polaris 03:06
• Total Runtime 52:32

Info for Tiktaalika

Charlie Griffiths, Gitarrist der britischen Progressive-Metal-Band HAKEN, präsentiert stolz sein erstes Soloalbum ‚Tiktaalika‘. Seine musikalischen Wurzeln liegen nach wie vor im progressiven Bereich, doch Charlie schöpft aus seiner Liebe zum Old-School-Thrash der 80er, Tech-Metal der 90er und Alternative Rock. Tiktaalika spannt den Bogen von melodisch über avantgardistisch bis hin zu heavy - man könnte sagen, Tiktaalika schlägt die Brücke zwischen King Crimson und King Diamond! An diesem Konzeptalbum wurde 375 Millionen Jahre lang gearbeitet. Die 9 Tracks sind inspiriert von Themen wie geologische Zeit, Fossilisierung, Transformation und den Verbindungen der Menschheit untereinander und mit dem Planeten, den wir bewohnen. Die Texte aus Griffiths' Feder werden von einigen der besten Sänger der Branche vorgetragen: Tommy Rogers (Between the Buried And Me), Danïel De Jongh (Textures), Vladimir Lalić (Organised Chaos) und Neil Purdy (Luna's Call). Auf dem Album sind auch eine Reihe von Gastmusikern zu hören: Schlagzeuger Darby Todd (Martin Barre, Frost, Devin Townsend), Keyboard-Zauberer Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) und Saxophonist Rob Townsend (Steve Hackett). Das Album wurde von Adam 'Nolly' Getgood gemischt und von Ermin Hamidovic gemastert.

Charlie Griffiths, Gitarre, Bass, Keyboard, Gesang
Darby Todd, Schlagzeug
Jordan Rudess, Keyboards
Rob Townsend, Saxophon
Tommy Rogers, Gesang (tracks 2, 9)
Danïel De Jongh, Gesang (tracks 3, 8)
Vladimir Lalić, Gesang (tracks 4,5)
Neil Purdy, Gesang (track 5)

Charlie Griffiths
guitarist for British Progressive Metal band Haken, proudly presents his debut solo album 'Tiktaalika'. With musical roots still firmly in the progressive realm, Charlie draws from his love of old-school 80s thrash, 90s tech-metal and alternative rock. Running the gamut from melodic to avant-garde to straight-up heavy, you might say Tiktaalika bridges the gap between King Crimson and King Diamond! This concept album was 375 million years in the making, with the 9 tracks drawing inspiration from themes of geological time, fossilisation, transformation and humanity's connections with each other and the planet we inhabit. The Griffiths-penned lyrics are given voice by some of the best vocalists in the business: Tommy Rogers (Between the Buried And Me), Danïel De Jongh (Textures), Vladimir Laliu0107 (Organised Chaos) and Neil Purdy (Luna's Call). As well as handling guitar duties, Charlie also takes care of bass, keyboards and on one track, makes his debut lead vocal performance. Of the creative process Charlie explains, "I picked up the 6 string guitar again, which ironically has become the more unusual option for me, after 10 or so years writing with an 8-string guitar for Haken. It definitely sent me into a different creative headspace, with riff after riff seemingly falling out of the guitar. I naturally began forming those riffs into song structures, while simultaneously writing vocal melodies and building the lyrical concept. It was a great form of escapism from my usual environment and I had a lot of fun doing it". The album also features a host of guest musicians: Drummer Darby Todd (Martin Barre, Frost, Devin Townsend), Keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) and Saxophonist Rob Townsend (Steve Hackett). "All of the guest musicians took the songs to another level" Charlie explains, "I had everything written and demoed, so the guys could quickly learn the parts, but I gave free rein for them to bring their personality to the party. Darby's drumming style, is so beautifully improvised and more jazz-fusion influenced, when paired with my riffs, it resulted in something unexpected. It blows my mind that the synth solo Jordan played was the very first take! Capturing that spirit of spontaneity within a structured piece is always very special". The album was mixed by Adam 'Nolly' Getgood and mastered by Ermin Hamidovic. The artwork was created by Dan Goldsworthy.

This album contains no booklet.