Glyder - Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow

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GLYDER already made it to their third full studio LP; I guess there’s no chance calling them ‘most hopeful band’ or ‘brightest future’ or any other encouraging names since the band counts six (or more?) years on Irish ground. Earning great acclaim with their 2006 self-titled debut and enjoying wider recognition via the “Playground For Life” (2008) is the release of this third CD fitting the “critical one!” category?

When GLYDER’s name shook the ground in 2006 everyone was talking ‘bout this Irish clan bringing forth again the legacy of THIN LIZZY along with enough IRON MAIDEN-meets-NWOBHM elements. With the valuable help of none other than Chris Tsangarides (THIN LIZZY, BLACK SABBATH, JUDAS PRIEST, Ozzy Osbourne etc) “Glyder”’s tracklist proved to be quite valuable and the band toured with big names (DIO, W.A.S.P., THUNDER, Bob Catley, WISHBONE ASH etc) while enough airplay at Bruce Dickinson’s radio show broadened the quartet’s status. If you ask me, I do think “Playground For Life” is not as bombastic as their debut but who cares since touring excessively in Europe (with GOTTHARD, Fish, DIO, BLUE OYSTER CULT, Y&T, METALLICA) helped a lot for GLYDER to see their name established in the (in general) traditional Hard Rock/Metal circles.

Now, “Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow” took a long time to see the light of day (I can recall announcements stating fall 2009 would be the typical release period) but that’s side issues; the headline should read “does GLYDER pull a stunt with their new album?”…and the answer would not be quite a debate. I like “Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow” but I’m not sure the average now-thinking fan will feel the same and give thumbs up to the band for creating (again) an album full of personality and consciousness. If you’ve paid your dues you can say what you want about GLYDER’s music: vintage but plaid in a fresh way, loud but keeping the classic rock ideals, typical but offered in a ground-breaking way, polished but exceeding loyalty… Again, the archetypal yeast of British (Hard) Rock is present, with your mind travelling to THIN LIZZY, WISHBONE ASH, PRAYING MANTIS, TRESPASS and such ‘melodic’ bands from the island(s). A more commercial approach (“Jack Strong”) shall not lat you down since GLYDER has the formula to make a pop bridge/refrain sound rocky. Still, you have to spend enough time with this CD to digest its stature; it’s not as straightforward as you may initially consider.

“Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow” is as consistent as it can get and rocks all the way: delete names such as THE ANSWER or WOLFMOTHER or I-do-not-know-who-else bands and bow to the majesty of GLYDER and appealing hardrockin’ melodies with impressive guitars, haunting vocals (with a-la BEATLES harmonies at times!) and a general classic sound always being a good shelter for lovers of traditional British Hard Rock music. Not to forget, Y&T’s mainman Dave Meniketti rocking hard at the title track, being another proof of the album’s value, haha! GLYDER’s average age is quite small and this brings nothing less than real hope for the future, too.