Titanosaur is a solo project out of Hudson, NY, that blends the radio-friendly catchiness of Monster Magnet with the pummeling riffage of Motörhead.
That seemed the be the project’s starting point, anyway.
From there, you’ll find a range of influences on each and every album, from Alt Metal to Industrial Rock.
And that’s the case with Echoes, the latest album from Titanosaur.
Echoes is the first release after a busy 2022, which saw two new albums: Absence of Universe and No One Home.
About Titanosaur
Titanosaur is the musical pseudonym for Geoff Saavaedra, who typically writes and performs all of the music on each album.
On Echoes, however, we have two guest appearances:
- Kazuki Hiratani – lead guitar on “What’s Your Pleasure” and “Dissolve”
- Anthony Difiglio – lead guitar on “The Ghosts Are Calling”
Titanosaur – Echoes Album Review
Tracks: 10
Length: 49:13
Release Date: September 29, 2023
1. Bring Down the Sun
With its intricately layered guitars and vocals, “Bring Down the Sun” may be Titanosaur’s most emotionally charged song. With its classic Titanosaur construction and an injection of Industrial elements, “Bring Down the Sun” is an Alt Metal delight—making this one of Titanosaur’s most accessible songs to date. This could have easily been a single!
2. Free your Mind
“Free Your Mind” features all of the heavy riffing Titanosaur is known for, but it throws in some unexpected flourishes for good measure—including some Tom Morello-esque experimentation in the background.
We also hear some experimentation with spoken vocals leading back to sung vocals—a captivating transition that proves incredibly successful.
3. The Ghosts Are Calling
The introductory drum beat is reminiscent of ‘90s Industrial projects like Nine Inch Nails, which is an element that works well with the Titanosaur sound.
Anthony Difiglio is well utilized here as a guest artist; we get an entirely fresh guitar tone and a new approach for Titanosaur.
4. Firestarter
Kicking off with a massive drum blast, “Firestarter” roars to life as the heaviest song on the record up to this point. It’s songs like “Firestarter” that make me disappointed Titanosaur is a solo project; this would be a wild song performed live.
5. I’m Still Here
“I’m Still Here” is one of the singles from Echoes, and we actually premiered it back in March.
Here’s what we wrote back then:
“‘I’m Still Here’ kicks off with an undercurrent of Industrial Metal, driving forward with churning, palm-muted power chords while an errant lead guitar squeals in the background. When Saavedra’s voice finally appears, it’s the same guttural, imposing growl we’ve come to expect from Titanosaur. And despite that dash of Industrial Metal, “I’m Still Here” still contains that signature blend of Punk and Metal Titanosaur has become known for. This is a powerful track with a powerful statement, and Saavedra writes one of his all-time best hooks for that blistering chorus.”
6. The World Is On Fire
Another single ahead of the album’s release, “The World Is On Fire” is a fast-paced blast of drums and quick riffs—delivered with a tiny dash of Wild West flair. This one had single potential written all over it, and Titanosaur was smart to give it special treatment:
7. What’s Your Pleasure?
Another single, “What’s Your Pleasure?” is an idiosyncratic track marked by unexpected riffs and staccato deliveries. It’s a complicated track packed with surprises, and it bobs and weaves like a boxer in the ring, as if Floyd Mayweather was squaring up with Motörhead’s “Overkill.”
8. So Strange
Shrouded in mystery and featuring jungle-inspired percussion, “So Strange” is a unique track in the Titanosaur catalog, but it’s still unmistakably Titanosaur.
9. Dissolve
Featuring a slow, churning riff with a blast of Space Rock, “Dissolve” is powerful and deadly—like a giant stomping toward you for the kill.
Kazuki Hiratani’s guitar solo adds an extra (and unexpected) flavor to the song, giving us a deeper palette of Metal.
10. In the Echoes
Like “So Strange,” “In the Echoes” features a dash of that same jungle influence—while still retaining that classic Titanosaur crunch. This is a heavy track with thick guitars and massive riffs, making it a killer way to conclude a killer album.
Final Thoughts
Final Score: 8.5/10
Standout Tracks: “Bring Down the Sun,” “I’m Still Here,” “The World Is On Fire”
Pros: There’s an inherent risk in being a solo artist for long; without the right mix of ambition and inspiration, you could release boring, repetitive duds.
That’s not the case with Saavaedra, who’s continued to push the Titanosaur project in new directions.
Echoes is catchy but heavy, deep but accessible, and interesting but grounded.
Fans who’ve followed Titanosaur for the last few years will be familiar with Saavaedra’s songwriting structure and favorite tones, but newbies will be delighted by the eclectic influences present in the music.
Cons: Saavaedra has experimented with some new sounds and techniques, which is great to see, but not every experiment is successful.
For example, whether you dig tracks like “So Strange” and “In the Echoes” will really come down to your thoughts on the percussion. It’s unique enough to grab your attention—but it also risks alienating listeners who turned there’s stereos up to 10 to hear Titanosaur’s signature roar.
Learn More About Titanosaur
To learn more about Titanosaur, check out the project’s website or follow Titanosaur on Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.