AN NCS ALBUM PREMIERE (AND A REVIEW): GLACIER EATER — “TEMPEST”

We read the lyrics for Glacier Eater‘s new album Tempest before listening to any of the music. They are well worth reading, both because they were crafted with literary flair and also because they tell a story that builds anticipation for the music.

That gripping narrative unfolds across the songs, each of which is like a chapter in a tragic saga. Through two contentious narrators, they relate the attempt of a warrior captain to lead his forces away from the life of killing they knew and to sail toward a foreign shore “at the edge of the world” where they might find peace, “a chance to make it right”.

Some in the company don’t share the captain’s optimism, and sure enough, it turns out they have sailed “into a hole of death”. Against the backdrop of a volcanic eruption they are assaulted by other warriors on the shore, whom they slaughter until forced to retreat and set sail again, only to be assaulted in a different way by the tempest for which the album is named, as if the gods themselves are exacting “a righteous vengeance” for all the killing they have done.

But even then, after the storm and the drowning of many, the protagonists’ turmoil hasn’t ended, because another ship, a hostile one, is rapidly gaining on them and cannons blaze, “another fight on our hands”.

photo by Trey Derbes

Apart from fashioning a gripping (and harrowing) tale, the lyrics seem to have a broader meaning. As the band explain:

“Each song is another chapter in a story about the struggles of trying to create a better life, the self-inflicted tortures we pull ourselves out of, and the lessons learned through the reflections of the journey endured.”

This isn’t Glacier Eater‘s first album. Their self-titled full-length debut came out in 2015. A very long time later, Tempest functions as a prequel to that one.

With an eight-year gap, it’s not surprising that the lineup has changed. For the new album, returning guitarists/vocalists Keith Welch (Sworn Vengeance, Murder Practice) and Ryan Hansen (Light This City, ESP Guitars artist), who together also wrote the lyrics, were joined by new drummer Trey Derbes (Heartsounds) and bassist Bret Fontaine.

If you’re like us, you’re now interested in how this Oakland-based band have rendered that turbulent and tragic story through their music. You’re about to find out for yourselves, but we’ll provide a bit of a preview (okay, more than a bit).

Befitting Tempest‘s story of near-ceaseless violent conflict, Glacier Eater tend to go fast — often very fast — and all the performers have the technical skill to race without stumbling. But while their music is frequently fueled by adrenaline, it’s also strikingly multi-faceted.

photo by Trey Derbes

Often heavy as hell and grimly vicious, with the words expelled in blistering screams, savage snarls, and gang shouts, the music is also exhilarating for other reasons. The band bring in electrifying thrash riffs as well as dual-guitar melodies that shine like the sun, glorious soloing, and bursts of jolting groove that will rock you back on your heels.

It’s a hell of a stylistic amalgam that Glacier Eater have hit upon, a combination of breakneck death/thrash, visceral groove, and melodic death metal that allows them not only to send listeners’ heart rates into the red zone and get heads banging hard, but also to feed the need for shred and to create a powerful emotional impact through changing moods.

Speaking of mood changes, the songs veer and morph, creating sensations of warlike ferocity, bleak cruelty, beleaguered determination, exultant splendor, and towering magnificence. The soloing fireworks (which reach zeniths in “Massacre” and “Homeward”) and the swirling and darting dual-guitar melodies are especially splendid.

But Glacier Eater also boast a powerhouse rhythm section whose bone-smashing and neck-wrecking performances are a vital factor in making the album such a rush.

And the band also dramatically switch things up in “Grief”, a song with acoustic strumming, agile picking, and soaring harmonized singing that suits the title. It’s a well-timed break before the storming frenzies and daunting chords of the album’s title track.

Another marked change occurs in “Adrift”, a moody instrumental piece that features a beautifully soulful solo that seems made for a big arena — another well-situated break before the “Homeward” closer, which delivers both the biggest jolts and maybe the most electrifying guitar spectacles on Tempest.

Sometimes we counsel people to take some deep breaths before embarking on album-length trips, and this is one of those times. And to return to where we began, the album’s story is a bonus, because even if you knew nothing about it, this album would still light lots of blazing fires in your head.

And with that, we invite you to enjoy our complete premiere stream of Tempest (the player below will move from song to song as it goes).

 

 

We’ll also share this comment from Keith Welch:

“Tempest pushed Glacier Eater not to fucking melt in the daily Bay Area grind as we pushed ourselves musically in addition to introducing a new bass player and drummer. Everyone in the band put in a stupid amount of work to get better at their instruments as well as our vocals in order for Tempest to take a new step for Glacier Eater. The concept of the album highlighting the turmoil of men on a journey while the captain clashes with the first mate and crew, easily gave way to lyrics inspired by Jaws and the daily sights of Oakland.”

Tempest will be digitally released by Glacier Recordings on October 27th, with a physical version to follow. It was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Zack Ohren (Machine Head, Cattle Decapitation, All Shall Perish) at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, and completed with artwork by Trey Derbes. Pre-orders are available now.

And in other Glacier Eater news, the band will open the San Francisco show of the Ancient Unholy Uprising Tour on November 24th at DNA Lounge supporting Incantation, Suffocation, Skeletal Remains, and Stabbing.

PRE-ORDER:
https://glacierrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/tempest

GLACIER EATER:
https://www.facebook.com/glaciereater
https://www.instagram.com/glacier.eater

GLACIER RECORDINGS:
https://www.glacierrecordings.com
https://www.facebook.com/glacierrecordings
https://glacierrecordings.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/glacierrecordings