Artist Mose Giganticus

The keytar would probably land somewhere between the penny whistle and vibraphone on a list of instruments least equipped for maximum hard-rock carnage, but Matt Garfield's chosen instrument didn't prevent the synth-popper from getting his project Mose Giganticus signed to the undeniably heavy Relapse Records. Keytar aside, the full-band version of MG—and Garfield's stately roar, which evokes lumbering beasts like Mastodon and Neurosis—give his metal tunes plenty of grounding on the new Gift Horse. And Garfield actually integrates his Roland AX-7 well into his blustery sludge, providing a symphonic touch that's compact rather than cheesy.  

Updated 08/26/2010