Gyiin Na̱xnox

It might be glib to say that there’s any number of bands in the 21st century world that treat proto-metal, heavy metal itself and punk rock as essentially the same thing, but from a distance a lot of the seeming distances ultimately fall away. But what makes G̱a̱mksimoon’s debut album distinct beyond a general excellence at just that fusion is a thing both simple and profound: it’s sung entirely in the Canadian Pacific coast First Nation language Sm’algya̱x by its lead songwriter, vocalist and guitarist, Wil Uks Batsga G̱a̱laaw. A member of the Gitga’at nation, G̱a̱laaw adds both rattle and hand drum to the charging brawl he kicks up with rhythm section Kary Wyssen and Danny Bell, and the whole of Gyiin Na̱xnox, which translates as Feeding the Supernatural, makes for a righteously riffing and stomping whirlwind of sound, identity and style. With interspersed field recording samples from various Gitga’at members plus some backing vocals, G̱a̱mksimoon keep a careful variety throughout in terms of arrangements and flow, and the compelling roil of songs like “Lagax Ba’wis” and “Moolks” are the truly excellent results.