Review Summary: You will writhe in pain...
Death metal can take many shapes. Through pulverizing grooves, thunderous percussion, and menacing harsh vocals, the genre has carved out a rather distinct identity for itself in music. For better or worse, a whole myriad of bands have taken up musical arms and gone to war under the death metal banner over the years. While many such brigades produced a sound virtually identical to their contemporaries, some strayed from the path to pursue other possibilities. Certain bands got faster, slower, more melodic, more technical, more atmospheric, etc. and the sound continued to evolve into what is now a very diverse musical scene. So where does that put Frozen Soul with their sophomore LP? Are they sonically identical to their predecessors, or are they striving to push the boundaries? The answer may not be so clear. Rife with deliciously grotesque grooves and a frigid atmosphere, Glacial Domination is an album that, while not reinventing the wheel, is sure to satisfy riff-loving headbangers and music fans alike.
'Invisible Tormentor' opens with a chilling synth stab before slamming into an onslaught of chaotic blasts and swirling guitars. From right out of the gate, the track grabs the listener's attention and embodies all the qualities of the band in full force. The guitar work, though not quite a technical marvel, is extremely tasteful throughout the track and the album at large. They blend perfectly with Chad Green's vocals in a twisted union of frosty savagery. The riffs consistently pan from the fast, old-school death metal style, to a low and slow, almost hardcore sound. There are plenty of satisfying harmonics and massive slow passages of headbang-inducing catchiness. In addition to the effective riffs, there's still room for some bone-chilling solos. Tracks such as 'Arsenal of War' and 'Assimilator' display very satisfying solo work, much akin to genre pioneers such as Bolt Thrower and Morbid Angel. One can't help but be caught up in the frenetic energy, and fans of new and old are sure to be floored from start to finish.
The rhythm section of the band is also excellent. Samantha and Matt lock in on some very tight grooves and the arrangements have more focus than their previous album. Matt's drumming on 'Death and Glory' is especially effective, as he flies over the toms and snare at breakneck speed and unleashes an absolute massacre on the hi-hat. 'Best Served Cold' serves up some chilling basslines and thunderous footwork as the band turns down the temperature for an especially heavy outro. Their performances are consistently enjoyable and provide a solid foundation for the other members to stand on.
Though never straying far from the formula, Frozen Soul's straightforward approach to songwriting is a breath of fresh air in the modern era. They take a more traditional path, where many of their counterparts offer little more than gratuitous technicality and "brutal" clichés. Their sound captures that to-the-point heaviness that a lot of recent bands don't offer, and although they tow the traditional line, they still leave room for innovation. Glacial Domination has a very unique and chilling atmosphere within death metal. From start to finish, the record instills a looming sense of cold dread in the listener. The synth interlude track 'Annihilation' allows for a momentary pause in the metal, yet it still feels foreboding and adds a lot to the mood. It's highly unique, and there are several such moments scattered throughout the album. The eerie melodies make the listener feel encapsulated in a frostbitten post-apocalypse where no life dwells. The intro to 'Frozen Soul' is another such moment, with the faint electronics building into those familiar downpicked guitar grooves. From the chilling intro of 'Invisible Tormentor' to the low and slow outro of 'Atomic Winter', the formidable sense of dread never stops for all who dare to listen.
Even though I'm quite fond of this record, there are a few drawbacks as well. Glacial Domination, while displaying plenty of talent in both playing and songwriting, could be unfavorable to anyone seeking tons of sonic diversity. The songs seldom deviate far from the traditional death metal formula and I can see how it'd be grating for some. The rhythm arrangements also leave a tad to be desired. The bass is a bit low in the mix, and while the compositions and performances aren't bad, I believe a little more creativity and ambition in the playing would've elevated the album higher.
Overall, Glacial Domination is a wonderful slab of death metal and a big step up from the band's previous effort. I would recommend this album to metal fans and anyone curious about the genre. It's chock-full of frosty brutality and is perfect for cooling you off this summer. Bundle up, strap yourself in, and get ready to headbang!
