Tag Archives: Chris Nicholls

GLACIAL PACE.

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Glacial Pace is a project by Bristol based genius, Chris Nicholls. This is something different to what they have done before, and if I can sum it all up quickly for you, then I think Nine Inch Nails gone rogue and darker would be pretty accurate. What they have done on their most recent release, Look Away is unleashing hell. Listen up.

Chris is in a number of bands, and in some respect Glacial Pace is everything that doesn’t really fit with the other bands that they are in. Glacial Pace is a brutal noise fest, and to compare what Chris does with this compared to Oh,The Guilt would be unfair. Polar opposite but both are beautiful. Glacial Pace is raw and unfiltered; it feels like an offload of rage, torment, frustration, love, despair and self-acceptance. Look Away was created out of anger towards transphobia, and as it feels like the world is taking steps back rather than moving on from archaic and vile views, we really do need this kind of music right now. Chris has that captivating anger and passion that could easily comfort anyone who has experienced transphobia. How someone can hate another person and be cruel to someone because they are being the person they are supposed to be is beyond me. I don’t understand it, but then again if I did understand, then I’d be a transphobe/small-minded twat!

Glacial Pace is a really heavy project, and you don’t play their music gently in the background. You play this when you need to get something out of you, and as we cannot go to gigs to unleash this- then doing it at home is all we have right now. As you go back and listen to the art that Chris has created for Glacial Pace, you cannot help but think the songs would be perfect for a really, really creepy and intense Thriller. There is so much tension in the music, and it’s that tension that keeps you on edge and leaves you feeling uncomfortable. You might not be able to sleep after listening to Glacial Pace, or you might just have insane dreams. The Process release feels like this dark, ambient soundtrack to a film that was made to mess with your head. It’s such a beautifully crafted piece of art. You really cannot help but be in awe of Chris’ talent.

This heavy Industrial feel is what has you hooked, and you find yourself not really mad about the lack of vocals because what Chris does with just sheer sound is take you far away into this spooky world that you never want to escape from. The songs will thump in your head, remain etched in your brain and you won’t be able to think about anything else. That’s what makes Glacial Pace such a thrilling listen. You have no idea what the next song will sound like, and by that keeping you on edge just adds that excitement that keeps you hooked,

Loose Ground is just under 5 minutes of being on this intense journey; as the ending draws in, the switch up in sounds makes you feel like you’re listening to two different songs but the magic is that, you feel like Chris is telling a story. The first part of the song is quite calm but then it builds up and up. Then this chaos ensues and it is so powerful, and so enthralling. It is easily one of my favourite things that Chris has done. You can really pick up a wealth of emotions on this song. The last few seconds of the song sound like a heartbeat or a train chugging towards a tunnel. It’s so beautiful.

There’s about 18 releases on their Bandcamp page, and I’d urge you to take some time to listen to them all. Either in one sitting late at night, or just take it easy with how you listen. You don’t need to do it in any particular order, but just make sure you do it.

You can listen to Glacial Pace right here and get your fix: https://glacialpacemusic.bandcamp.com

OH, THE GUILT: Darkest Days.

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Bristol is home to many bands. Many phenomenal bands from the likes of Idles to Emily Breeze. There is a scene there that has no boundaries, there is a scene there that we all want to be part of. It feels like a real family unit. You can really sense that everyone is backing each other, irrespective of the genre, there is so much love and respect there.

I’ve written about Oh, The Guilt before and I’m late to the party in writing about Darkest Days. It’s a 7 minute song that deserves to be at the top of any list you make (good ones only, don’t be a dick!) I have a weakness for songs that have intense build-ups and songs that last over 5 minutes. I love the euphoria that smacks you right in the gut, and my god Oh, The Guilt completely and utterly nail this. Everything about this song is the definition of perfect. Single parts come together and just create this utterly divine song. It’s not a song-it’s a blissed out symphony.

How can a song this vital yet precious come alive in the form of a music video? Quite easily. The video to this beautiful song is shot in such a captivating manner. It is so powerful, and do emotional. You find yourself listening to the song, then immediately going back to the video. Then back again to the audio; it’s a song you need to play through headphones to truly pick up on every detail in the song. The drums are phenomenal, they are definitely one of the best moments in music this year. You want to keep it on a loop, and just lose yourself in them. I liken the drums to Stella Mozgawa (Warpaint) on Warpaint’s debut record, The Fool. Everything about Oh, The Guilt reminds you of what you love about music and what makes you fall in love with certain songs, and specific parts in songs.

Elijah, Hannah and Chris have created something truly beautiful with this song. The way Hannah annihilates the drums, and each crash wonderfully echoes into Elijah’s guitar is so captivating. They all come together with this sound that is glued together with Chris’ bass. Each of the create moments in this song that make it a work of art in its most purest way. The video reinforces the sheer beauty in the song, and the video adds more vulnerability to it- which is just absolutely gorgeous.

I’m not going to go on and on like I normally do. I want you to just take some time out of your day, bin off Christmas for a bit and play this song. All 7 minutes and 46 seconds of it. Allow yourself to have this time, and just breathe. And just be. Be whatever the hell you want.