Tag Archives: Noise

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

NITE FIELDS: A Voyeur Makes No Mark.

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Where do I even start with writing about the new Nite Fields record? It’s spooky one, and one that I’m honoured to listen to let alone write about. A little different to what I normally write about, but there’s no better way of celebrating 12 years of this site than by writing about an incredible record.

 That’s right, 12 years ago I set this site up whilst in my second year of university. I didn’t think I would carry on with it, let alone let it go on for over a decade! So, with that in mind I’m going to tell you all about the exceptional new record by Nite Fields. If you’re obsessed with the likes of Cold Cave (Wes Eisold is a God/Genius) or Psychic TV or Autumns (Derry’s finest) or even Drab Majesty- chances are you will fall in love with A Voyeur Makes No Mark by Nite Fields. It is this glorious Industrial sounding record that has mind-blowing sounds flowing all the way through. It is made up of 8 tracks that will leave you in awe. When I listen to it, I am reminded of The Vacant Lots- my love for TVL is pretty obvious, and songs like Not Your Time remind me of some of TVL’s songs. I bloody love it, and it is such an exciting record to listen to. I adore the distorted and eerie vocals. Sure, I’m a massive Punk fan, but whatever you want to call this- this is what really gets me in the gut too.

 The new record is a 10/10 for production. Yeah, I never ever mark records because I am not that kind of person, but I really want to point out just how fascinating every element of this record is, and the production is really something else. The new record is essentially a solo project now, and Danny did the record in Moscow. You can hear the coldness in this record, and it is such a great listen.  Invitation and Voyeur are such powerful songs, and they have a grander feel to them than what we have previously heard by Danny/Nite Fields. You can truly hear the devotion and connect with the creative process on this record, and in a world where everyone wants everything immediately and has to annoyingly share it online immediately; I love how Danny has made something truly worthwhile and deserving of treasuring. Honestly, the production on this record is flawless.

 

 

 

A Voyeur Makes No Mark is a really stunning record, and I love how Danny takes you on this highly intense, and euphoric journey. It’s like you’ve stepped into this decadent underworld that not many are aware of, and the possibly shy away from. It’s full of songs that will make you move in ways no other could. It is full of songs to really lose yourself in. It is just a phenomenal record, and I’m pretty sure that amongst fans, this will become an instant classic. It’s a record ahead of its time, and I sure hope it causes enough demand for a UK tour. Depersonalisation came out 5 years ago, and the leap in the sound, arrangement and production is so great. It’s such a joy to listen to and although it is only 8 songs long, it is enough to make you realise that Danny is truly making something special here. I mean it was obvious 5 years ago, but there’s something about this record that is really beyond anyone’s expectations of what was going to come next from Nite Fields.

 The record ends with the mind-fuckery that is Do It In Reverse. Everything about this song feels like it was made to mess with the listener’s head, and I love that. I love music that takes a listener out of their comfort zone and makes them feel a bit on edge. Danny does this all through the record, but the final song really, really does this in a different way. I can’t really explain but what I can tell you is that every ounce of his talent truly comes through on this song (obviously on the whole record too, but you know what I mean!)

I only write about what I love and will always do so. I’ll never ever find fault, and I will always do my best to get across just how great a record is. I really hope I have done this with the new Nite Fields record because it is such a great listen, and the whole experience of listening to it is just perfect. Bands/artists like Autumns, The Vacant Lots, Drab Majesty- they are really making a difference with their sound and take listeners to some place sacred with their art. Danny/Nite Fields does exactly that too.

 The record is out in April and will be released via Lost Race (if you want the vinyl version) and Perfect Aesthetics (if you want it on tape.)