‘The Colossus’ is a welcome follow up to Cairo Knife Fight‘s 2014 EP ‘The Isolator’ and comes with a bite. While co-writing credits are distributed evenly among the album’s collaborators, project leader Nick Gaffaney and guitarist Aaron Tokona‘s musical synchronicity shines throughout.

The opening title track manages to blend aggression with dynamics well and is followed by Rezlord which sums up the album’s abundance of energy. Degrader is full of layers and defines what the CKF sound is about in 2015, despite Tokona having since stepped aside. Although it was recorded over various locations both here and in the States, the results are consistent and intense. The songs explore fertile rhythmic ground and, as a listener, the twists and turns of the arrangements are a key factor for coming back for more. The brooding nature of the playlist builds and is more of a moody journey than a collection of songs. Gaffaney has ticked the boxes at every point with production, packaging and presence online. A job well done.