The Texan blizzard kings are back yet again with another death metal album that will stand the test of time.
Frozen Soul, one of the new generational bands bringing back old-school death metal is currently on a huge rise & muchly deserved.
After the release of the amazing & world widely acclaimed “Crypt Of Ice” in 2021, the band has been rising the ranks with some mega tour packages. Dying Fetus, Obituary and Napalm Death just name a few!
Since the album’s release fans have been clambering for the next chapter & the band’s sophomore album “Glacial Domination”.
Right from the opening note on the opening track “Invisible Tormentor” the band’s sonic assault is at full blast. A tighter, punchy attack from the whole band.
Chad Green’s vocals feel more front focused & his range feels more dynamic. Chad’s biggest strength within FS has been the more hardcore meets-death metal approach when it comes to vocals. The growl & depth it needs while keeping the catchy & very strong pronunciation are needed to get the lyrics heard.
The tracks punishing bridge builds as the band unleashes the first truly back-breaking breakdown of the album & great opening track, it may well be a stronger opening than the band’s last album.
“Arsenal of War” starts to ramp up the speed. A fast-paced track was perfectly written for circle pitting. A track that has some weight to it emotionally to the band. Dedicated to Chad’s brother Cory who sadly passed in the lead up to the recording of the album, the tracks lyrics may be very personal but they are also some of the most expansive the band have written to date.
“I’ll carry your light, Through dark and snow. Righteous soul, To which I’ve sworn. I’ll carry you.. In my arsenal of war”. The perfect balance of that death metal vigour but drenched in feeling & admiration.
Matt Dennard’s drumming on this track is just one of the reasons why he’s one of the best death metal drummers out there right now.
Matts tight & heavy drum tones perce through on this track. His use of constant & thumbing double kicks sound like cannons, mixed with his perfect right arm while riding the perfectly timed ride bell hits just tie the track together perfectly.
Now by the third track the ever fitly titled “Death and Glory” the joint power from guitarists Michael Munday & Chris Bonner is increased. Track by track the album is just getting more brutal & outrageous.
“Death and Glory” feels like the heaviest & most “technical” track the band have written to date. Now they aren’t going down the tech death route here, luckily the band have been able to add very interesting faster riffing & more precise licks to the track & overall album.
Where “Crypt Of Ice” was sometimes more straightforward in the death metal spectrum, now within “Glacial Domination” Mundays & Bonners writing style now feels 100% Frozen Soul & they have been able to create the perfect template for the band’s now signature sound thanks to this album.
Now normally for me when reviewing an album a single track will pop out as my favourite on the first listen, But with “Glacial Domination” the whole album has been impressive, but the two tracks that blew me away on the album are the title track & the follow up track “Frozen Soul”.
When it comes to the title track the band have been able to write what i believe is one of the first “epic” death metal tracks that will open the band to the whole world of heavy metal listeners.
The track feels large & accessible, i think that is due to the work they did during the pre production time with legendary vocalist & guitarist Matt Heafy from Trivium. When the band announced the news of the partnership some might have been worried the band were going soft, but what they have actually done is write one the most badass title tracks any death metal album has had for some time.
Memorable riffs that have you humming them right away, a great thick & chunky bass break apart from one of bassist Samantha Mobley’s arsenal of amazing basses. And featuring some great guest vocals & an even better guitar solo from Heafy himself are tip of the iceberg for this mammoth of a title track.
Right after is part two. “Frozen Soul” feels like one of the most “upbeat” death metal tracks i’ve heard. The thrashy fast riffing that tips it hat to Slayer & early Death, also even having some of the progressive vibes of Carcass’s – “Heartwork” this track is just a great motivational track. A perfect follow up to the title track it feels like it will be a huge hit live & one the crowd will be singing along to, and i know i will be!
These two tracks really showcase the amazing progression in song writing & sound the band has made since “Crypt Of Ice”.
And it doesn’t stop when the band hits the track “Best Served Cold” Feeling like the band’s manifesto in song form, This track feels full circle for their cold icy sound & aesthetic. A groovy three minute track that keeps up the album’s fast pace & yet again showcases Dennard’s fast pace & consistent drumming performance on the album.
Also the use of double track vocals on the chorus gives the track a tasty punch & an extra sprinkle of brutality.
Now when it comes to the production on this album Daniel Schmuck is once again behind the board & somehow he has been able to not only surpass his efforts on the last album but also become an even more solid producer / engineer. The team of FS & Schmuck is a perfect fit, and together they have created a sonically cohesive album.
Closing track “Atomic Winter” hits like a nuclear bomb. A chugging, stomping mosher’s dream. Leaving the biggest breakdown to the last track is ballsy but for those who stick with the album will hear one of the biggest riffs & heaviest breakdown in the band’s history. A track so heavy it will destroy all of humankind & bring back the ice age. Its THAT fucking heavy.
Now all icy related puns aside, Frozen Soul have been able to surpass “Crypt Of Ice” while still keeping the foundation they created when the band started. More intricate riff writing, the use of solos from Bonner, Green’s more present vocal delivery & the bands overall increase in sonic abilities make this one of the best full up death metal albums of all time.
From start to finish & front to back this album is & will be seen as the example of how a perfect death metal album is made. A truly phenomenal album created by a band that within the next few years will become an unstoppable force of nature!
Review: Joseph Mitchell
Glacial Domination is out via Century Media Records on 19th May 2023
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