Local Review: GLOSSA – Death is Not the End

GLOSSA
Death Is Not the End
Second Death Records
Street: 04.25
GLOSSA = Sleep + Candlemass

Ritualistic chants are disguised in the sounds of doom and sludge as GLOSSA solicits something beyond the veil of darkness. With the release of their latest album, Death is Not the End, GLOSSA can portray that there is no ending, not in death nor to their own sound, which are merely the beginning. The Salt Lake City band has been active since 2023, “Panic Breathing the Mystic Smoke” being the first released single at the time. The band consists of John-Ross Boyce on bass and vocals, Justin Graver on guitar and vocals and Casey Hansen on drums. These members shine light on the true meaning of what it’s like to bask in the senseless malevolence of darkness. 

This album consists of nine tracks, “Acacia” being the first. As we dissect this song, “Acacia” in some folklore, is the name of the tree of life. This song lays out a strong foundation for the theme of the album by portraying a means to an end until summoned. Some believe that when death comes it is not the end. “Acacia” does a great job storytelling these feelings with the grim sounds of wailing and despair. 

“Panic Breathing the Mystic Smoke” starts off with one of the heaviest riffs that complement the screaming vocals perfectly. The song is able to execute an auditory visualization in the shadows of religious chants as vocals that help guide the listener into a deep, dark abyss. “Long Pig” would be a great tune for those who love lengthy doomy tracks. The song is full of riffs for days, and carries a versatile range of emotions with sounds similar to those you’d hear in space. The drums find a perfect rhythm between the electrifying sound of the guitars. “Long Pig” in its entirety is almost extraterrestrial. 

“Blood Moon” differs from the rest of the songs on the album due to the opening on a melancholy melody which slowly ascends to a single drum beat. The song reaches its climax with guttural screams and then descends with intensity and feedback that eventually tunes out all other noise. 

A common theme to be followed in this album is the inclusion of mythology, folklore and history. GLOSSA depicts these in their own type of storytelling, their screams. Surtr is a mythological being that is said to be a fire demon. This description is perfectly illustrated by GLOSSA in their own song “Surtr.” The track starts off with a slow introduction of a repetitive guitar riff followed by similar drum beats. Once the vocals are introduced, the song turns into an uproar of anger and is amplified by the fast change of tempo across all instruments. The mythical aspect of this song brings a much more ethereal meaning than just some regular doom track. 

Listening to this album can make one feel as if corruption in one’s mind was not only pleasing but also welcomed. The possession of your soul is consumed by GLOSSA’s essence and its enticing lyrics. One can almost feel as if they have to choose between good and evil, feeding into their pleasures and desires or being consumed into eternal darkness. GLOSSA entirely has its own sound, uncomparable to other doom metal bands.

Death is Not the End is beautifully curated for those who indulge themselves relentlessly in the unholy effects that doom and sludge can create. The lethal combination is music not only for your ears but your mind as well. It is almost blinding in the sense that it breaks the barrier between reality and any space-time continuum. One can nearly be completely engulfed by its blissful array of existential noise—it’s worth the listen.–Litzi Estrada

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