A dormant foot hovers above the shadow-dwelling text “volume pedal.” A few clean, foreboding strums. But Boston doom quintet Glacier soon cut the suspense short as distortion pounds from their amps in a room lit like an abandoned cathedral. The contemplative live video (DPed by Matt Watson and edited by Stephen LoVerme) employs dreamy superimposed imagery while the camera smoothly dips between musicians like a specter with tinnitus.
Mixed by Chris Johnson (Deafheaven, Doomriders, Summoner), the song is a fitting introduction to the thunderous introspection embodied by Glacier’s new LP, No Light Ever. Like that record, the song’s not content to mimic post-metal blueprints from the subgenre’s pioneers. Between slow-burn passages, Glacier slyly manipulate volume from loud to louder, heavy to heavier. But this isn’t just superlative downcast doom with a well-timed mean streak. In the song’s first act, Glacier also emerge from arctic waters and reach for the night stars with shimmering shoegaze. By the time the video hits the 10:45 mark the steady thrust of the riffs achieve an even darker connotation and urgency. No Light Ever was released on August 8th, and this opening track launches the haunting listen. But the live experience—as well as the studio product—that receives the video’s focus.
“We really wanted this video to capture the intensity of our live performances while also conveying the weight/isolation/despair of both the song and the record,” the band shares. “We recorded this live at Communal Waves (formerly 1867 Recording Studios) right outside of Boston. This room was once an old masonic temple which seemed perfect based on the size of the space and the dark vibe of the room; we were able to perform in a circle while being engulfed in the darkness surrounding us provided by the 40′ ceilings. The heat was absolutely unbearable with the air conditioning units being off to allow for the hazer. We hope the viewer will feel as though they are sweating in the room with us.”
Cool off by playing Glacier’s new video below, and experience their record’s opening track with a stark visual experience. Air conditioning allowed. If you’re in the Boston area, catch the song live at Glacier’s record release show October 12th at Great Scott in Allston, MA with HarborLights (Deathwish), Girih (A Thousand Arms/DUNK! Records), and SEA.
