Expectation is such a heavy thing when it comes to your favorite bands. You want to support them, to give them room to stretch and create and follow their personal muse (muses? It’s early in the morning) wherever it will take them. But you know deep down there’s a small kernel of…let’s call it yearning…for them to do exactly what YOU want. I can’t help it, you can’t help it, best to just acknowledge the bias and move on. Especially when said favorite band knocks it out of the park by doing both, as Howling Giant have done with their third full-length Crucible & Ruin. An expanded lineup brings new complexities into their prog/psych/stoner rock assault, and the songwriting gets even sharper, aided by a brighter, soaring production that highlights the best aspects of the band.

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