Release Date: February 03rd 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD
Fallow - Track Listing:
1.Seed 05:01
2.Unmasking The Idol 04:48
3.Maw 06:02
4.Vile Enchantress 04:41
5.Ancient Awakening 04:10
6.Strange Gods 05:30
7.Fallow 08:44
Members
Chad Johnson - Bass
Jordan Huston - Drums
Jake Shaffer - Vocals/Guitar
Review
Sludge/Doom Metallers Glasghote return with their new album Fallow which arrives seven years after their excellent debut album Rite Of The Siren. The band did release a superb live album “Live At The World Famous Kenton Club” back in 2020 but this is their first batch of new material since 2018 and it’s a gloriously heavy release with Glasghote adding a level of downtuned filthy and seedy grooves into the mix. The sound is quite raw and lo-fi but matches the bleak Doom Metal sound conjured throughout the album.
The vocals are fuelled by a powerful onslaught of harsh growls and guttural screams which adds a violent nature to Fallow. The powerful bass sound delivered by Jordan Huston is ultimately destructive and allows Glasghote to aim for a heavier undergroove with moments of melodic sludge sounds courtesy of the excellent drumming ro Chad Johnson and Jake Shaffer’s epic guitar grooves that is quite ethereal and highly volatile on different parts of the album.
The legendary Billy Anderson mixed and recorded the album with Justin Weis mastering the album which gives Fallow a more mature and measured sound. Fallow is still a dirge ridden “SONIC” odyssey which Glasghote explores to extreme lengths on tracks such as Seed, Unmasking The Idol, Maw and Vile Enchantress for the first part of the album.
Despite the violent nature of Glasghote’s overall sound, the band can be quite melodic and progressive even behind the grim sludgy surroundings that the band perhaps feel most comfortable with. The lyrics are superb and can be quite eye opening at times especially with Jake’s powerful vocals which continue to remain on the more “EXTREME” side though they’re quite easy to understand which allows Fallow to be a more engaging and intelligent record.
The second half of the album continues the bleak sonic and down-tuned journey with Glasghote still taking a “NO HOLDS BARRED” approach with their music with tracks such as Ancient Awakening, Strange Gods and Fallow. With an “EYEHATEGOD” style of cynicism and nihilistic vision forming from the very start, Fallow isn’t the most easiest or likable album to listen to but there’s a strangely addictive and violent presence that keeps you emotionally invested throughout with Glasghote never outstaying their welcome and allowing the listener wanting more long after the record is finally over.
Fallow is an intense and superbly intelligent record that you need to hear now.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words by Steve Howe
Links
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