Patience and a watchful eye is a combination that makes for quite the reward should they be taken in the right quantities by those who really put those principles into practice. When it comes to waiting for new material from promising bands, such ideals can be lifesavers as it often takes many years before we’re lucky enough to even hear so much as a snippet of what’s to come next. I had no idea when we would be given a new insight as to what Birds of Nazca would be able to deliver after their incredibly promising debut just two years ago, and it’s clear upon listening to this fresh EP that those two years were amazingly well spent given the quality that’s on full display here.

Without even going back to their eponymous first effort or reading my own review for it, I knew damn well then that time was going to be a massive benefit to Birds of Nazca. Their brand of heavy instrumental rock was the sort that fans of the style are constantly salivating towards, and it’s upon listening to “Héliolite” that I feel well-rewarded for my patience and faith in the French act for if this is what they’re able to deliver after just two years then I am flabbergasted at the prospect of whatever is to follow after this. Just four tracks long spread across almost twenty minutes in length, all of the potential greatness that was laid forth in that debut has been capitalized to the fullest extent with “Héliolite”. While still a largely by-the-numbers creation that doesn’t rock the boat of instrumental rock whatsoever, the very power, passion, and flavors of what’s on full display throughout this record show us that Birds of Nazca is not some minuscule name destined to remain at the bottom of people’s interest. Rather, “Héliolite” soars high and proud as the riffs and flavors of this particular vein of rock come into play in magnificent form without so much as a singular detail that I would change throughout all four of these tracks with each complimenting the last before we’re left utterly entranced by that nearly 10-minute finale.

Where many others might struggle to take off, Birds of Nazca prove to be a breed on a higher level with every turn taken throughout this EP showing us just what exactly this group is really capable of with damn near every detail coming together beautifully to make for an engaging listen that is as rewarding as it is flavorful. Already, time has been a magnificent boon for this name, and whatever is to follow is sure to be something that we have to give the proper respect and attention to. Until then, however, “Héliolite” demands it in full.

LISTEN to “Héliolite” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Birds of Nazca on Facebook here.