Consisting of two members from Khemmis, Glacial Tomb showcases more of the extreme blackened/death side of things for guitarist / vocalist Ben Hutcherson and bassist David Small. Drummer Michael Salazar fills out the three-piece lineup that has been together since 2016, issuing their Cognitive Erosion debut EP in 2017 followed by a self-titled album in 2018. Now a part of the Prosthetic Records roster, Lightless Expanse encompasses material that takes on mental illness and philosophical pessimism, a nine-song offering where aspects of sludge / doom careen headfirst into death / black heavy horizons, as melodic nuances cascade in unexpected places.
The duality of Ben’s caustic screams and fierce growl presence allows the musical attack an extra dynamic edge to keep things bone-chilling throughout – while the occasional spirited progressive, jagged riffing sits comfortably against the normal low-tuned, crushing proceedings. His lead work contains the right elegance against a series of bends, twists, and energetic push – check out “Enshrined in Concrete” or the slower yet no less body churning “Worldsflesh” for some jazzy meets frantic thrill rides. The symbiotic rhythm section connection between David and Michael creates this aural advantage over others in this genre – equally capable of pushing the limits of their abilities one measure, then settling into this hypnotic, circular groove platform a la the best acts from the 90s be it Scandinavian or Florida-based influentially. When these musicians employ speed or blast beats, they also conversely execute head whipping controlled passages that set ears on high alert – the occasional use of left-field sweeps or clean ambiance another dynamic component to embed these tracks deeper into your brain matter through subsequent playbacks.
Specific bands become difficult to bring to the forefront in terms of Glacial Tomb’s style – one minute you can hear Gorguts frenzy progression against Dismember or Gatecreeper-like death riffs, the next a bit more Primitive Man or The Black Dahila Murder meeting Gojira in a back alley. Standouts include the upbeat “Abyssal Host” with its high velocity riffs next to the energetic bass/ drum action where Ben deftly switches between his blackened raspy voice and savage Swedish-like death growls as well as sludge-oriented title cut that ends the record, its ending instrumental sequence able to take your breath away while spasmodic bursts leap from every limb of the body to the hooks on hand.
Given a lot of renewed interest in multifaceted extreme metal over the last few years, its easy to hear why Glacial Tomb could raise a few eyebrows to the good because of Lightless Expanse. The right balance between aggression and progression in tightly constructed three and a half to four and a half minute arrangements should appeal to a healthy underground climate – as well as the fringe element seeking out something familiar to their sludge death/blackened tastes.