Oh I have waited so long for this one! Glacier, from Portland, Oregon, dropped on of my favourite EP’s way back in 1985. There was a demo that appeared in 1988 but then nothing much. Three years ago, an incarnation of Glacier called ‘Devil in Disguise’ played the legendary Keep It True Festival with original singer Michael Podrybau. After the said show, the band started writing new material and once the original members sanctioned use of the original band name, Glacier was reborn.

Two of the tracks ’Live for the Whip’ and ‘Sands of Time’ originally were written in the 80’s, however, the energy and quality is presented right from the start with ‘Eldest and Truest’. The style remains within the heavy/power metal spectrum but one thing really hits home is the strength of the vocals. The opening few bars of epic metal, marching drumming, it’s a true call to arms for the new album. The melodic sense appears in the guitar riffs, the vocal melodies and the recorded sound is extremely vibrant perfectly matching the tempo. The undertones of this particular track are very busy, there’s more than the basics going on. The solo, well, this cements itself into heavy metal folklore for me. As mentioned earlier, ‘Live for the Whip’ is an older penned track. However, you wouldn’t figure it. It has the same vibrancy of the opener, in some quarters there is more expression at the tail of end of each vocal line, more emphasis. There’s epic, then there justified quality, this is an infectious song and I really love the atmosphere it creates for me as the listener. ‘Ride Out’ is riff heavy from the start, of course Glacier have nailed the melodic second guitar also. The vocal here is lower, and even more powerful. Surprises come along with the slow down prior to the chorus, the good old pre chorus. Hey, this is really entertaining with some soring vocal highs in the chorus prior to the solos.

‘Sands of Time’ starts out with some bewitching soft vocals, a ballad if you like, before marching into a melodic galloping powerhouse of a tune. The diminished chords and overall feel takes you too many comparisons, but I won’t be doing that here. Glacier are their own masters. ‘Valor’ as you would guess from the title is a warrior like choral exercise, some key melodic sections and commands great atmosphere. The solo almost feels eastern influenced. ‘Into the Night’ is a heavy one, let that one sink in.

“Many are called, but few are chosen” I choose Glacier, and ‘The Passing of Time’ is pushing hard for album of the year for me accompanied by its amazing artwork. All that I have heard respects the band legacy but it takes things to another level in most aspects. The immense power, energy and excitement of the arrangements is magical, addictive and very true to metal ethics. What a truly wonderful album in my opinion. 2020 has basically been a wash out, but let’s hope this band gets out on the road and I can experience once again the magic of Glacier whom I have always thought were underground, underappreciated legends. ‘The Passing of Time’ is an awesome solid statement in time, an album that gives you hope and conveys amazing song writing talent. You guessed it, I love this one!

(9.5/10 Paul Maddison)

https://www.facebook.com/GlacierMetal

https://glaciermetal.bandcamp.com/album/the-passing-of-time-3