It’s not every day you hear a debut record as fully realized as this one. Gargoyles in the Night Wasteland, a Hanoi-based metal duo, have delivered a self-titled first album that feels more like a deliberate statement than just a collection of songs. Written, composed, and self-produced entirely in true DIY spirit by guitarist and producer Danny, the record thrives on its sense of internal logic. Nothing here feels like filler, and every detail feeds into the overall mood.
While the album pulls influence from so many corners of heavy music, hardcore riffs, death metal growls, industrial synth ambience, and eerie black metal whispers, it never feels like a disjointed mess. Quite the opposite: it flows surprisingly well, with smart dynamics that take the listener from relentless mosh-ready tracks to slow-burning atmospheres without ever losing focus. The result is a release that’s unpredictable but never incoherent.
Enter the Wasteland
The opening track, “Enter Gargoyle”, wastes no time laying out the band’s blueprint. Epic build-up gives way to thrashy riffs, blastbeat-heavy drums, blackened accents, and Danny’s furious guitar work paired with some of the most aggressive vocals on the album. As an opening salvo, it’s bold and clear about what’s coming.
From there, the duo leans into something closer to modern metal on “Afterlife Sophistication”. It’s a more polished track with traditional metal grooves, fast-picked breaks, and clever post-production touches, like subtle panning and layers of scratchy tape textures hiding behind the breakdowns. It’s a more approachable moment on the record, but still manages to keep its teeth sharp.
“Life Fluids Consuming Seeker” slows things down just long enough to build atmosphere before crashing in with crushing guitars and guttural vocals. This track features perhaps the most memorable solo on the album, melodic but gritty, somewhere between ‘80s flash and modern emotionality. It’s a great showcase of Danny’s ability to write lead lines that feel alive and soulful without resorting to shredding for the sake of it.
Vicious, Twisting, and Unrelenting
The clear highlight of the album comes with “Vicious Relationship”, which starts in an almost fragile way, clean, twangy guitars that recall SOAD’s “Lonely Day”, before erupting into pure chaos. Riffs stack on riffs, with a dramatic mid-section that feels like a nod to black metal’s blastbeat-and-pick fury. Vocally, it’s the most theatrical moment of the album; the screams and whispers here feel like they’re telling a real story. The song closes with a massive breakdown and another expertly delivered solo, but not before giving the listener a brief respite with cinematic pads and string-like textures. It’s an emotional ride and a perfect centerpiece.
If it’s speed and aggression you’re looking for, “Pre Gargoyle Soulkiller” has you covered. It’s the most mosh-ready track here, lean and relentless, and one that will undoubtedly whip up chaos live. The name suggests it could have been one of the earliest pieces written for the project, and it certainly feels foundational to the sound.
A Moment of Silence, Then a Final Seal
On “Silence so Loud”, the band takes a surprising turn into something more introspective. As the only instrumental on the record, it’s also the quietest and most emotional, drenched in reverb and layered with moody guitar work, surrounded by the raindrops falling. It’s an unexpected but very welcome breather before the final onslaught.
And then comes “The Seventh Seal”, the closer. Inspired by the Ingmar Bergman classic, it’s an ambitious finale that moves from eerie calm to full-blown mayhem, complete with barely perceptible tempo shifts that keep the listener unsettled. Guitar work here again stands out, echoing the influence of Swedish death metal (maybe an intentional pun indicating love for Mr. Ingmar Bergman) while still sounding personal and handmade.
A Strong Start, Ready for More
For a debut, “Gargoyles in the Night Wasteland” is impressively self-assured. The fact that it was engineered and produced at home only adds to the charm; there are imperfections, but they’re the kind that make it feel human. The DIY approach is more than just a footnote here; it’s central to the album’s identity, and it gives the whole thing a gritty authenticity you don’t often hear in more polished releases.
The variety of styles packed into the record is impressive without feeling overwhelming, and the dynamics, shifting between fast, punishing sections and slower, moodier ones, make for an engaging listen front to back. It might not be a record that will make waves far beyond the underground, but it’s not trying to. This is an honest, well-crafted debut that deserves respect for its vision, execution, and spirit.
Gargoyles in the Night Wasteland’s debut is a dynamic and deeply atmospheric introduction to a project that clearly has a lot to say. Cohesive, bold, and uncompromisingly DIY, it’s a strong start that leaves plenty to build on, and plenty to enjoy right now.
Rating: 7.5/10
