LP Review: "Secret Kids" by Virgin of the Birds

Secret Kids

Today, barbecue pits were discussed. It's almost as if we need to participate like the others have...and besides...steak.

This automatically brings up the idea of all of the BBQ joints all over St. Louis. Many folks love them because they love the food.

But for me, though Sugarfire was amazing the couple times I've been there, it's just not my bag. Because of what grilling is.

It's an activity, not a meal choice.

Think of it like fishing. It's not about the fish you catch but the time spent in the company of others.

There's little in this world more satisfying than watching the raging inferno of a charcoal fire morph into the slow burn of fiery embers. All at once, it's two things.

Album Review: "Remind" by Captain Crimson

Remind

Remind is the third offering from Swedish band Captain Crimson and their first on the Small Stones label. 

Set for release next week, there's nothing small about the sound you'll find here.  

Right out of the gate with "Ghost Town" you get pounding drums, guitar and vocals.

They're somewhat reminiscent of the Red Hot Chili Peppers melding into a heavier metal groove that provides the undertone of the entire collection. 

There's a lot of that funky sort of Texas blues in Captain Crimson's sound too, and it gives their tracks a boozy flow that keeps you wanting more.

Concert Review: Anthrax at the Pageant in St. Louis September 22, 2016 -photos and words by Danny Nichols

Frank Bello and Joey Belladonna of Anthrax

On a Thursday night in September St. Louis, Missouri witnessed two of the Big Four of thrash metal, Anthrax and Slayer, on a night which both celebrated the long tradition of the genre and showcased the newest material from these legendary bands.  

This was the fifth time I had seen Anthrax, and once again they delivered with authority.  Anthrax are touring in support of their new album and the set list reflected this, with four of the nines songs they played coming from "For All Kings".  

A fifth song came from the also recently released "Worship Music".  By the time they played the two covers they made famous, "Got the Time" and "Antisocial", this left only two songs left from which to represent their massive catalogue of influential and beloved music.   Yet in many ways this was exactly the point.  Anthrax is more than their epic backstory. They continue to be relevant,writing and performing songs as well as at any point in their history. 

Scott Ian

CD Givaway and Iraconji Album Stream

It's contest time.

Here at Glacially Musical we are a musical site of the fans, for the fans, and by the fans.

There's a kick ass new band called Iraconji who's self released their new record, Global Genocide and it's awesome.

So, I'd like to give two readers a copy of this CD.

Simple rules.

Get at me on twitter @Nik_No_C and follow and retweet this post:

CD Giveaway. Win a copy of Iraconji. Follow/Fav/RT this post. 2 winners. Ends on Friday at 4:15CST!

Check out the stream of the record below.

LP Review: "In The Beginning" by Spore Lord

In The Beginning

Lately life has been stifling.

Please allow me to lament a little bit about what's surrounding this humble music blog.

Aside from this, I'm a devoted husband, father, and a full time worker. This can make life a little bit daunting. My real job has gotten busier, which is great, and my life has gotten more and more squeezed.

Sometimes it's hard to find a record that deserves a review in min mind. That leads me to a scary conclusion.

I've been fearing burn out here. The best news is that we've got a couple more writers to help ease the pain I've been feeling. But when one is burning out, what's the best thing to do?

Spark up some psychedelic doom metal, am I right?

Concert Review and Photos: Death Angel at The Pageant in St. Louis September 22, 2016

Death Angel's Rob Cavestany

With the evening's lineup featuring three champions of thrash metal; Death Angel, Anthrax and Slayer, the Pageant was sold out. Befitting their place among the heavyweights of the genre, the venue was nearly at capacity in time for the first notes of the opening act.

Death Angel were treated like conquering heroes by an audience who does not get to hear this band nearly often enough. The set list was blistering, furious and intense, but tragically only six songs long.  

Death Angel took the stage with an abbreviated version of "The Ultra-Violence" from their debut album of the same name. This segued into a pummeling rendition of "Evil Priest", also off the first album.  

Vocalist Mark Osegueda

LP Review: "Reckless Son" by Matt Butler

Reckless Son

From now on, around this time of  year, your friend and humble narrator will be a bit melancholy. Not because of the loss of summer, because Winter is the best season, but because of another kind of loss.

So far, it's only been a year since we lost you.

It's probably true that we have all lost someone to substances. If not someone in our immediate family or friends, there's a very good chance that you've been touched by this kind of loss.

As I write this, it was recently the anniversary of Jimi Hendrix's death. Many are still mourning the loss of Prince and countless others whom drugs and alcohol have claimed.

I'm no temperance movement advocate, but let's all try to remember when we're playing with fire. Even legal substances can be lethal. Perhaps even more so, because I can get a fifth of 190 proof liquor for a mere twenty dollars and not worry about being shot or mugged by the cashier at the local grocery store.

LP Review: "Into The Catacomb Abyss" by Unearthed Elf

Into The Catacomb Abyss

Think back to 1995ish.

In many ways the world was very different back then, but one thing was similar.

There were solo artists coming out of the woodwork then. Ozzy, Ace Frehley, Dave Grohl had just released a solo album under the moniker of Foo Fighters.

Now, solo acts are most definitely a thing. Some people, myself included, will tell you that Ace Frehley and Ozzy Osbourne have yet to improve upon the body of work they created in their original bands.

As a solo musician, Ozzy succeeds on every possible level. In my critical opinion, it's because he only plays his part and barely writes honestly. The musicians write and play. Ace Frehley, these days, likes to have his fingers all over the tracks.

Concert Review: September Mourning at Fubar in St. Louis September 14, 2016 -Photos and words by Danny Nichols

Rock music has a long and proud tradition of being a visual medium as much a sonic one.  The Alice Cooper Band became as notorious for the drama unfolding on stage as they were their songs.  KISS took over the world by taking this to the next level.  King Diamond, Slipknot, Gwar, WASP, and a billion other bands soon followed the blue print.  

A band can, and maybe should, look different than their audience, be surrounded in mystique and offer a show beyond just the notes they play.  Music is entertainment and any steps taken to enhance this entertainment are welcome.

At some point, most notably during the emergence of grunge in the early 90s, the idea gained currency if a band had any sort of costumes or a stage show, it was to be viewed as a gimmick intended to distract the audience from the band’s lack of quality.  To many, rock-n-roll was either music or theater, but could not be both.

Album Review: "You're Doin' Great! (For the Record)" by Bong Mountain

This debut from Bong Mountain, the 4-man band out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, has the clean and polished sounds of a third of fourth offering.

Almost two years in the making, You're Doing Great! (For the Record) defies genre definition, gifting us with the sounds of rock, alt-pop, and punk, sometimes all in the same song.

Comprised of crisp guitar riffs, speedy drum beats, crunchy vocals and a fun bass line that guides you but never overpowers.

 Bong Mountain presents a the kind of sound you hope to find whether driving around town, skateboarding through the park, or fishing off the pier. It's imminently listenable, sometimes fist-pumping rock & roll, others smooth and soothing, in only the way sweet reverb can be after a long day.

LP Review: "Delirious Excursion" by Darkrypt

Delirious Excursion

Historically speaking, music has been traditionally segregated among races, nationalities, and creeds.

Frankly, this is not a concept that's easy to understand for this blogger.

Let's get in the Wayback Machine all the way to 1986 when the Beastie Boys were unleashing Licensed To Ill on Def Jam Records, owned by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons.

They had the first major hip-hop album to hit Number One on the Billboard Charts. The Beastie Boys of course, were a former punk band peopled with Jewish New Yorkers...some of whom then transitioned to Buddhism.

Like The Run DMC version of Walk This Way released just months previous, they added colors to the palette for that genre of music. Well, what about going back even further to the Yardbirds playing 12 bar blues...a band that gave birth to Cream and Led Zeppelin. Again...palettes were expanded.

Concert Review: Huntress at Fubar in St. Louis September 14, 2016 -photos and review by Danny Nichols

A lot has changed since I first heard “Eight of Swords” in early 2012 and instantly fell head over heels in love with the band Huntress.  Their debut album Spell Eater is a masterpiece of dark pagan metal, which is very reminiscent of classic Mercyful Fate.  

Jill Janus had somehow mastered the four octave vocal style of the previously believed inimitable King Diamond.  The riffs carry all the precision and power of thrash metal, with a clear black metal influence. The subject matter drew heavily from Janus’ deep connection with and knowledge of witchcraft. 

Subsequent albums Starbound Beast and Static have moved a little away from the Mercyful Fate sound, and closer to a darkened power metal.  Comparisons in their sound now could be drawn to bands like Hammerfall and Helloween, except still uniquely harkening back to classic first wave black metal and early thrash metal.  Lyrically, while still maintaining a foothold in the world of the occult, Huntress shifted focus first to a metaphorical fascination with celestial matters and then with an exploration of mental distress.  

EP Review: "Voces de la Tierra Dormida" by HEID

Voces de la Tierra Dormida

One thing that I don't really do is Folk Metal.

There have been a great many times that people have told me about this Finnish band or that Norwegian band and you're not metal if you can't get into folk metal.

Ok, that last bit may not be totally true.

For all of my consternation regarding checking boxes, it would seem that folk metal would be right up my alley, but hearing the other instruments tend to, well put me off.

Even black metal's keyboards tend to get me a bit edgy, but King Diamond using harpsichords...totally find.

This is a very strange way to be, but back to the point, Folk Metal has never really felt like metal to me, but some oddly updated folk music from back in the day...waaaay back in the day.

LP Review: "Vexamen" by Verberis

Vexamen

Heavy metal has long been considered darker than most other forms of music.

There's something about the pounding drums and the a-melodic singing that has raised the hackles of the outsiders. Those of us inside the circle can feel the power these things provide.

But what happens when the music grows darker and the lights grow dim?

On on and on this race has gone.

Once upon a time metal was melodic and progressive. Iron Maiden were the standard bearers for many years.

It's not uncommon for death metal bands to claim fandom of horror movies which helps to explain their music, but how many of their songs actually feel like a slasher flick?

Album Review: "Promised Land" by Smokey Fingers

Promised Land

The sounds of Southern Rock are historically heard from the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, and Molly Hatchet so it came as some surprise to hear a similar sound from a band out of Northern Italy. 

Five years after a successful debut, Smokey Fingers has refined their sound while still paying homage to those vintage greats and stands shoulder to shoulder with the newer alt-rockers of today with their latest offering, Promised Land.

Right from the start, with Black Madame's driving, twangy lead guitar and scratchy, straight-forward vocals and Rattlesnake Trail's pedal steel, Smokey Fingers gives the listener a home-style feeling of sipping a cold beer on the front porch with your boots up on the railing. Their sound is gravelly yet comfortable and makes you want to hit the highway and see the back roads and taverns of the land.

LP Review: "Soul For Sale" by Sires

Soul For Sale

What makes a good first impression?

How do you introduce yourself to someone new for the very first time?

Is it your firm handshake or your perfectly coiffed pompadour? Maybe your chin is covered in a moss like beard of which General Tecumsah Sherman would envy.

Meeting a new band for the first time is rather similar to a first date or a job interview. Both parties are looking for something. The band and the listener are looking to form some sort of new relationship.

Glacially Musical is proud to consider the debut release of Waterloo, IA's Sires, Soul For Sale. My first impression of this band was from a bearded photo. As someone who cannot grow a beard, it caught my attention.

Album Review: "Midnight Chaser" by Liquid Steel

In the late seventies and early eighties a new sound emerged from Great Britain, which built tremendously upon the foundations established by Black Sabbath and borrowed heavily from the energy and enthusiasm of punk rock. Unlike their forefathers in Sabbath these bands largely steered away from lyrical content about despair, depression, doom and the devil, and instead wrote songs about fantasy, mythology or history. 


They were also different from punk rock due to a focus on musicianship, often with long epic songs, full of operatic vocals and searing guitar solos.  This sound gained momentum within the British Isles and then hit the shores of the United States like a hurricane, earning the movement the name of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM).  Spearheading this invasion were bands such as Raven, Samson, Angel Witch, Girlschool, Saxon,Venom, Rainbow and most significantly Def Leppard and Iron Maiden.

As the popularity grew, and the sound expanded to dozens of other countries and hundreds of other bands, the moniker of NWOBHM gave way to the simpler, but still accurate description of power metal, spawning such noteworthy acts as Dio, Sabaton, Hammerfall, Accept, Helloween, Kamelot, Armored Saint, and Manowar.

LP Review: "Paths" by Lord Almighty

Paths

It's been a bit, but upon hearing someone saying that new music was terrible...I knew that something had to be done.

So, a link was sent to a really great band that had released an album of stuff that was pretty reminiscent of the 70's.

This gentleman wasn't on the train because  he felt he'd heard all of that before. It should be mentioned that this was on a pretty big heritage band's discussion boards.

It was disappointing.

But here we are and there is new music on the horizon. Looking back at my formative years, all music was neatly cordoned off from the other types of music. Metal has gone a long way on this front....

It would have been inconceivable to think that music would have morphed into this multi-headed hydra which we have now.

Interview: S.N.A.F.U. "Our Drummer Is Actually An Amazing Guitar Player"

S.N.A.F.U.

There are a lot of bands in this world that straddle genres.

Many others completely defy convention.

S.N.A.F.U. is a bit more like the latter. In a former life they were a punk band. As they continued to playing and playing together, the band became something more than that. Looking back at old school thrash metal, the obvious choice would be to point at Metallica or Slayer.

Those two acts epitomized the fusion of punk and metal creating thrash, but S.N.A.F.U., isn't much like them either, though their genesis was strikingly similar.

When they were in the friendly confines of the lounge at Fubar, we talked the state of the world over a Rolling Rock Pint. Also, S.N.A.F.U. played at FUBAR...get it?

Concert Photos: Nile at Fubar in St. Louis January 25, 2016 -photos by Danny Nichols

Dallas Toler-Wade

Karl Sanders

LP Review: "Welcome To Fat City" by Crobot

Welcome To Fat City

It's been a few years, but on a hot sweaty night, my introduction to Crobot was made.

Without realizing what was to come for me, the bassist and I had a very nice conversation as I was waiting to interview Rex Brown and cover the show.

Well, their show was the stuff of legend for a band that was the first one the bill.

Years later, describing their music to people who aren't familiar is still difficult.

There's a lot to like about our friends from Pottsville, PA. They're the hardest working band out there today. They tour constantly. It's a mystery how they even had time to write this album much less record it!

Album Review: "Into the Void" by Infinite Earths

In all the universe there may be nothing more unequivocally awesome than heavy metal music.  The only thing which even comes close is comic books.  Fortunately the two worlds sometimes merge, although not nearly often enough.

Thus, I was drawn in by a  band called Infinite Earths (as I assume the name harkens to the classic DC comics storyline "Crisis on Infinite Earths"). 

When I read the band bio and learned the album is a soundtrack to vocalist Josh Mazzora's H.P. Lovecraft inspired comic book, I was automatically enamored with the band before hearing a single note. 

My expectations for this album were similar to stepping into the theater to see Star Wars Episode I.  Happily, unlike that fateful day in 1999 when midiclorians spoiled my stew, "Into the Void" has met my lofty expectations.  It is brilliant album which contains all the virtuosic guitar playing of technical death metal with blast beat drumming and a vocal delivery which hovers within the glorious realm of black metal.

NEWS: New Column On Glacially Musical

In the Four Years in which we have been running Glacially Musical there have been changes.

In the beginning this site was a running commentary on the new music being personally discovered by me.

As time wore on, indie artists began submitting their albums for our ears. Then not long after that, we began receiving emails, packages, etc from PR Firms, Record Labels, and yes more indie bands.

Then interview opportunities arose and Glacially Musical began to interview artists of many different stripes. As the array of music grew, so did our commitment to this site.

It was about 15 months ago and I was lying in bed. Something had occurred to me. Because of this site and the work I did, purchasing music didn't happen very often for me anymore, so I was going to be like a solid 18% of the population and get back into vinyl.

As a child of the 80's, I kind of missed vinyl, but I had some strong memories of records and record players in my house when I was a small child.

I began beefing up my (very pitiful and accidental) vinyl collection starting that day. In that time, I have created fairly nice sized collection of music which really shows my diverse taste in music.

There have been some vinyl promos that we've received, but we didn't really consider them any differently than the digital or CD promos we've gotten over the years. It's ironic considering that more often than not a new vinyl sounds like a new album instead of one I've heard a thousand times. (Kiss ALIVE!, I'm looking at you.)

So, we're presenting Frozen Grooves Vinyl Reviews.

These reviews will be different than our standard. Instead of just the music, there will be more pictures of the product, unboxing videos when merited, extra promotion, and the reviews themselves will also focus on the vinyl quality sound and packaging.

These reviews will also be open to albums of any vintage rather than upcoming releases as we typically cover.

For submissions please email me at battra13@gmail.com

Thank you!!

Concert Photos: Straight Line Stitch at the Troubadour in LA July 26, 2014 -photos by Danny Nichols

Darren McClelland, D, and Alexis Brown of Straight Line Stitch rock the Troubadour

Straight Line Stitch