When it comes to musical configurations, the trio is undoubtedly the best. As band’s such as Motörhead, Budgie and Venom proved, there’s something about these reduced numbers that creates a sound that’s far bigger than their constituent parts, and now you can add Denver combo Glacial Tomb to that illustrious list. Formed in 2016, the band have carved out a unique niche for themselves with a sludge/death/black metal hybrid that’s not for the faint of heart. Album number two finds this Colorado trio honing their craft and Lightless Expanse is sure certain to propel them into uncharted territory.
My first thought when hearing opening track ‘Stygian Abattoir’ was to think of Pestilence’s groundbreaking album Consvming Impvlse. While it’s unfair to compare Glacial Tomb anyone, they definitely have their own thing going on, their sophomore album shares some of the same pioneering spirit. There’s a feeling here that the band are pushing at boundaries and seeing just how far they can stretch the limits of the space/time continuum. The riffs are labyrinthine and, quite frankly, mind bending as they oscillate between virtuosity and crushing brutality. The rhythm section is equally punishing and when the band lock in together they hit the listener with wrecking ball force. It’s akin to being attacked with a mallet and leaves you dazed and confused (but in the best possible way, of course).
The band’s lyrical content is just as weighty as their sound and explores subjects such as nihilism, misanthropy and death, and questions the very essence of existence. Such matter requires an equally weighty sound and that’s precisely what Glacial Tomb serve up with songs such as ‘Enshrined In Concrete’ doing exactly what they say; they expel an exorbitant amount of force, pressing down like the globe on Atlas’ shoulders. Yet, the greatest thing about this bunch is that they’re not afraid to mix things up and ‘Seraphic Mutilation’ bursts from the speakers like the proverbial raging bull, it stomps all over the shop, kicking up dust and breaking china. Some kind of shapeshifting reptilian, Glacial Tomb have produced an album in Lightless Expanse that is constantly evolving and revolving; just when you think you have the band cornered, then they throw you in a hex. That makes for an infinitely interesting experience, and one that’ll reward repeat plays as subtle nuances and mirrored images reveal themselves on successive spins.
When bassist David Small joined the band in 2019 it felt as if a circle had been closed and along with founding members Ben Hutcherson (guitars/vocals) and drummer Mark Salazar, an (un)holy trinity has been formed. Lightless Expanse is the first album from this incarnation and finds them perfecting their dark art to shine a light in the black.
- Lightless Expanse is released via Prosthetic Records on 20th September 2024.
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Track List:
- Stygian Abattoir
- Voidwomb
- Enshrined In Concrete
- Abyssal Host
- Sanctuary
- Seraphic Mutilation
- Worldsflesh
- Wound Of Existence
- The Lightless Expanse
