Tricky time signatures and bursts of skronked-out noise have their place in Günther’s sound, but don’t expect aimless post-rock noodling from this Calgary, AB outfit. The three-piece don’t play instrumental rock to show off their mastery of subverting typical song structures, they play it because it’s fucking awesome. The rest is just a byproduct of their commitment to leaving crowds slack-jawed and dripping with sweat.

Nuclear Stallions, Günther’s debut full-length, is everything fans have been clamouring for since The Greatest Televised Swordsman I’ve Seen In Years EP introduced the band in 2005. In the years between, Günther’s members have extended their reach throughout Calgary’s musical community, forming the video-game cover band THWOMP, participating in free jazz experiments with Bug Incision’s Chris Dadge and taking part in numerous side-projects. Through it all, they’ve been honing a sound they’ve half-jokingly dubbed “majesticore.” It’s an apt description of the thunderous, spine-shattering bass line on “Feeder,” or the onslaught of piercing horns and pulverizing drums on “Sixteen Sicles.”

With contributions from Arran Fisher (The Summerlad), Jay Crocker (No More Shapes) and a host of Calgary heavyweights, Nuclear Stallions is more than another precious instrumental album. It’s a testament to the power of guitar, bass and drums. Most of all, it’s pure rock ‘n’ roll, in all its majesty.