Gygax – Critical Hits
Release Date: January 22, 2016
Label: Creator Destructor Records
When Gypsyhawk officially called it quits back in 2014, I was pretty bummed but at the same time, I saw it coming a mile away. The band was showing obvious signs of wear and tear and they also seemed to be struggling somewhat with their identity. I was sad to see them go but like a phoenix rising from the ashes, lead singer/bassist/songwriter Eric Harris returned to the game with Gygax and an album that has me thrusting my fist in the air and yelling “YES!” just like Beavis and Butthead.
My first impression upon listening to Critical Hits is that this sounds like a Gypsyhawk album. Well, of course it does when you have the same singer, bassist, and songwriter but here’s where the difference lies. I have not even the first clue about anything to do with Dungeons and Dragons other than it takes forever to fucking play and there’s a bunch of fucked up looking dice that you roll. You don’t have to even remotely know the game to dig the songs. With that being said, the subject matter of the songs doesn’t feel lost on me because the songs are so well written. I love that there is such an element of dorky mysticism and imagination to them.
Songs like “Lesser Magick”, “Draw Breath”, and “Chain Lightning” all tell stories that stand on their own and the lyrics really drew me into these little fantasy worlds. I totally loved that aspect of this band. It also shows a level of good songwriting when you can still appeal to a niche crowd but not put off or alienate those that are outside of the circle.. The highlight of this album without a doubt is “Demons.” This particular track, musically, has a pretty strong Dio influence and holy fucking shit Harris sings his ass off on this track. It’s so cool to hear him really pushing himself as a singer and going into a new realm. I love that it’s such a stand out track and I’d love to hear him do more of this kind of singing.
Unlike Gypsyhawk, Gygax has cohesion and an identity that is all their own. There were times where I would get frustrated with Gypsyhawk because one minute they were putting on their dork hats to pay homage to Game of Thrones with “Hedgeking” and the next they were trying to be a “boogie till you barf” band with “State Lines.” Don’t get me wrong, I loved those songs but I just didn’t feel like I ever got to see the “real” Gypsyhawk. With Gygax, I feel like I am getting to see the real them and Critical Hits is an album that definitely has me excited to see just where this band will take us. I’m already jonesing to see them live so hopefully their pack up their 10 sided dice, their pewter figures, and hit the road so we can see it all done live!
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