Glanville - First Blood

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GLANVILLE is a Hard Rock band representing Germany and the UK. Each member has or has had other musical projects before coming together to create their debut EP, “First Blood,” which was released on May 4th, 2018 and contains five tracks.

“God Is Dead” opens the EP, and I can immediately hear the band’s influences within a few moments, dual guitars like IRON MAIDEN, seconds of lone drumming like BLACK SABBATH, but even with these influences, it’s an underwhelming opening track. If the group’s goal with this song is to have it successfully blend in with these bands during their early years, they’ve certainly succeeded, but it does lack that freshness that AOR and newer Melodic Rock bands have mastered. “Dancing On Fire” takes the energy level up a notch or two, the riffs stronger, the vocals more commanding, especially in the verses, and it has one of those really nice, thick basslines. “Durga The Great” has wonderful speed, powerful drumming, and the most unique guitar work of the first three, and it’s undoubtedly the best so far, especially since it’s presumably about the Hindu goddess of war.

“Demons” has a rather slow, ominous beginning, as the drums build for a heavy riff and Hofmann’s voice to come through. The chorus isn’t in your face and full of fire, but it does have lasting power and can subtly grow on you. “Time To Go” opens similarly, taking its time before the full band comes in with precision and all the fire that was missing on the previous track. Hofmann especially seems to be pushing his vocals as far as they can go in ensure that the last track leaves an impression. There’s also a creatively beautiful interlude with woodwinds, unexpected but strangely fitting, making this track the best on the EP.

“First Blood” shows a band with great potential. Each track, while some are better than others, shows a real passion for what GLANVILLE creates, and there’s quite a good deal of talent. My only criticism, constructive of course, is that the group is sacrificing a chance for a clearer personal identity by taking the listeners back to the sounds of classic bands we all appreciate. While these bands were trailblazers, who pushed Hard Rock and Heavy Metal forward, it’s time to continue this trend, and newer groups with undeniable musical awareness should be in the front of the line.

Songwriting: 8
Originality: 7
Memorability: 8
Production: 7