It wasn’t their first time showcasing at the revered Roadburn festival, but some of the most unforgettable moments of the 2022 edition came from the Pelagic Records showcase residency. Standout performances by Year of No Light, LLNN, and Bruit captivated audiences, with Bruit especially impressing by incorporating additional string and horn sections to elevate their classically infused post-rock sound.
In the evolving landscape of post-metal, where bands are becoming increasingly cinematic, multifaceted, and profoundly heavy, Glassing stands out as a beacon of innovation. They masterfully blend blistering black metal, downtuned doom, and hardcore into an ever-engaging and dynamic sonic experience, shedding the constraints of sticking to a single genre. The Texas trio are indeed the architects of a new wave in heavy music.
Their latest album, From the Other Side of the Mirror, by the Austin, Texas trio, showcases this versatility and depth.
The album opens with the urgent shrieking growls of “Anything You Want,” setting a fierce tone. “Nothing Touches You” emerges as a standout single, seamlessly weaving post-rock, black metal, and doom metal with meticulous arrangement. This track is a masterful display of building tension and plunging into abyssal depths, with Coffman’s vocals and bass adding layers of intensity.
The album also showcases breakneck speeds and searing vocals on tracks like “Defacer,” which evokes the ferocity of Portrayal of Guilt. Amidst the chaos, “Sallow” provides a haunting three-minute interlude of dark ambient, highlighting Glassing’s ability to create an immersive listening experience through their ebb and flow. This dynamic interplay of interludes and segues enriches the album’s narrative.
“Nominal Will” delivers a post-hardcore, screamo punch reminiscent of ’90s Midwest emo, while the closing track “Wake” is imbued with a classic screamo sense of hope, seamlessly interspersed with raw emotion.
The album art, crafted by Christopher Royal King, maintains the band’s tradition of visually compelling releases. Fun fact: According to Spotify statistics, their most active listener base in Helsinki, Finland.
With their European distribution now under Pelagic Records and their fourth LP making waves, Glassing is set for a noteworthy year in 2024, including a performance at Pelagic’s 15th anniversary festival in August.
From the Other Side of the Mirror from Glassing releases April 26, 2024.
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