Giant monster name, giant monster band. It’s been four years since Chicago transplants Gigan released their mind-melting Multi-Dimensional Fractal Sorcery and Super Science—a title that accurately describes the album’s apocalyptic technical-death and space-rock-on-steroids sounds. With their brand-new Undulating Waves of Rainbotic Iridescence (Willowtip), they hone their whirling sonic blades until they cut through bone. Like their previous two records, Undulating Waves was recorded with Sanford Parker (in California this time), but it’s the band’s first album with new vocalist Jerry Kavouriaris, who establishes himself as a commanding figurehead at the front of this evil ship while drummer Nate Cotton and founder/core multi-instrumentalist Eric Hersemann (previously of Hate Eternal and Lord Blasphemer) sail through interstellar storms and straight into the heart of the blackened sun. There isn’t a single point in this 55-minute album when a listener can afford to let his or her guard down—Gigan’s aggressively challenging sound is as dense and evocative as songs with titles like “Hideous Wailing of the Ronowen During Nightshade” and “Clockwork With Thunderous Hooves” ought to be. From the first shiverings and shamblings, you know you’ve entered a zone where earth rules no longer apply. v