Squig’s “Beware of the Dog”: Don’t Bother Trying to Put it in a Box

Beware of the DogĀ is the debut album from up and coming Brighton band, Squig. It is a raw and daring record that knows exactly what it is, even if you have no idea.

The album combines elements of different genres and influences to produce an electric, powerful record which refuses to be put in a box. You might have no idea what it is you are listening to but Squig will confidently and explosively guide you through.

The album opens with “Bad Dream” which is decadently heavy and lures listeners in with Harrison’s fuzzy guitar riffs and Stirrat’s thundering bass. “I’m in a bad dream / Nightmare in my sleep” Harrison bellows, before spiralling into more irresistibly heavy waves.

The opening riff to “Shredding Skin” is addictive and you can noticeably hear the influences of iconic doom metal bands Sleep and Electric Wizard here. The track escalates about halfway through into a chaotic jam which eases out into a slick guitar solo. Ollie Smart’s drums are particularly admirable in this track, dynamically building then dropping the song’s momentum at a moment’s notice.

“Stuck (FlĆ¼mflae)” is catchy and makes for one of the band’s most exciting live performances. The melodies are constantly evolving, breaking every expectation that approaches. Stirrat’s bass is reminiscent of Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler here in the way his riffs frequently chop and change but are memorable and firing on every occasion. The highlight of the song comes in at around 4:20 with a riff that just as the song’s name suggests, will be stuck in your head all day. It’s difficult to doubt that this penultimate track is the best and most memorable song on the album. It teases and grips you right up until the final, fuzzy echo.

The album’s seven-minute finale “A Tail of Greed and Misery” opens with a scream and precedes to descend into total chaos. If you stop and closely listen, you’ll have no idea what’s going on but if you throw yourself into the music, you’ll be taken on a weird and wonderful psychedelic journey while Squig stands laughing at you on the sidelines.

Overall,Ā Beware of the DogĀ is the remarkable debut album of a daring rock band that shows great promise.

4.5/5