Glacier Eater – Tempest
Release Date: 27th October 2023
Label: Glacier Recordings
Bandcamp
Genre: Thrash Metal, Melodic Death Metal.
FFO: Necropanther, Skeletonwitch, Arsis, Dominia.
Review By: Carlos Tirado
Sometimes a reviewer chooses to explore a wildcard, which is precisely what I did with Glacier Eater – a band I had never encountered before embarking on this musical journey. Being a diligent reviewer, I made sure to check out their previous album, which I found enjoyable and highly recommend, especially if you appreciate melodic Thrash. It was refreshing to discover that the band had returned with Tempest. The album’s promotional material sounded extremely promising, and I was eager to delve into it, albeit with a hint of scepticism about the risk of exploring something new.
Tempest doesn’t beat around the bush; it delivers heavy, chunky riffs throughout. This style is rather niche, comparable to bands like Necropanther or Skeletonwitch, known for their idiosyncratic yet enjoyable approach to metal. Similarly, Tempest doesn’t pretend to be fancy or sophisticated; it embodies the essence of what drew us into metal in the first place: icy riffs loaded with attitude that naturally induce headbanging. Moreover, the brevity of the songs and the album itself makes it convenient for repeated listens.
The album’s standout features are the impressive guitar work and the forceful vocals. As previously mentioned, the guitar work is both intense and melodic, ensuring that the riffs never become stale or monotonous, hitting you like a continuous barrage of hooks rather than a sledgehammer. The vocals, loud and aggressive, as if you owe this guy money, adding to the savage and cold atmosphere the album seeks to convey.
Is there anything to criticize? Well, while no other song on the album quite reaches the heights of the title track Tempest, Adrift comes close. It’s a good choice to place these tracks towards the end of the album, allowing it to conclude with a bang. However, if all the tracks were as epic as these two, this album would undoubtedly deserve a 4.5/5 rating.
Nonetheless, Tempest is undeniably enjoyable. Not every release needs to be dark and edgy; some can tackle epic themes from a less conventional perspective, and that’s something I appreciate about Glacier Eater. It’s not a pretentious project (I’m talking to you, Black metal bands), and I encourage you to support these guys, as Tempest genuinely delivers what it promises.
(3.5 / 5)
