From The Other Side Of The Mirror

2024-04-23 07:00:35

Glassing populate a threshold area between sky-high euphoria and dwindling hope. What reads like an overdose of pathos is actually absolutely true in the case of the trio from Austin, Texas. For three albums they have been dedicating themselves to a bizarre and gripping mix that includes, among other things, post-hardcore and post metal, sludge and black metal, but also highly melodic shoegaze. With „From The Other Side Of The Mirror“ They now land at Pelagic Records and skillfully expand their sound once again.

This peculiarity is already the basis of the opening “Anything You Want”, which oscillates between furious black metal screams and heavenly singing, accompanied by constant restlessness. You know that something will happen here soon, that absolute chaos will descend on the country, but Glassing doesn’t always turn the switch on immediately. Tracks like “Circle Down”, which move forward in a relatively straight line and flirt with repulsive harshness, have become a rarity, but are doubly or triple welcome – see and hear, among other things, the hussar ride “Defacer” with its little skins and horrendous, thrilling intermediate sprints .

And yet it is the in-between worlds that now define the sound of the US trio. In the epic “Ritualist” there is room for deep black primal violence, but also for post-gaze, reaching for elusive soundscapes, unreal and yet so concrete. Shimmering melodies and powerful punches also come together in “Nothing Touches You”. Shrill screeching sends cold shivers down your spine, blurred post worlds reign all around, wrapped in cotton wool and ultimately the perfect basis for the next outburst of anger. The euphoric finale “Wake” seems almost unreal in its crazy brevity and is ultimately the perfect ending.

In fact, the Texans’ latest prank is more confusing than ever, but it’s a most welcome confusion that hangs over the proceedings. “From The Other Side Of The Mirror” is initially difficult to grasp and unreal, emphasizing the extremes of your own sound more than ever, but at the same time finally bringing them to the proverbial point. Glassing consistently say goodbye to their status as sludge experts, invest in brutal heaviness and omnious dream worlds, and despite all the contrasts they always find the golden mean for a truly special album. Rarely has it been so exciting in the threshold area.

Rating: 8/10

Available from: April 26, 2024
Available via: Pelagic Records (Cargo Records)

Website: www.glassingband.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GlassingBand