Originally from Portland, Oregon and now based in Chicago, the mighty band Glacier are charging ahead full steam bringing their heavy metal to the masses. They are currently promoting their most recent EP release ‘The Spears of the Empire‘ and are planning a lot more for 2023. I had the pleasure of catching up with Michael and Adam from the band to learn a little more and see what is going on in the world of Glacier!
THE NWOTHM: For those who do not know who you are, can you tell us your band name, who is in the band, and where you are from?
GLACIER: The band Glacier is originally from Portland, Oregon. Today, Glacier consists of Michael Podrybau on vocals, Michael Maselbas on guitar, Adam Kopecky on drums, Alex Barrios on bass, and Vincent Ippolito on guitar. I suppose since none of us are in Oregon anymore, Glacier is now from Chicago, Illinois, USA.
THE NWOTHM: How did the band form and is there any interesting story surrounding its formation?
GLACIER: Michael Podrybau: In 2016 a promoter in Chicago wanted Glacier to perform a reunion show, but unfortunately that was an impossibility. The promoter then asked me if he put a group of guys together, would I come sing the Glacier songs. So, in 2017 we were preparing to play the Ragnarokkr festival in Chicago. We were calling the band Devil in Disguise because at that time I did not have permission from the original Glacier band members to use the Glacier name. Oliver from Keep It True heard about the new band, and he offered us a slot at the Keep It True festival that year in Germany.
THE NWOTHM: Since the band’s formation, what big milestones have you achieved?
GLACIER: Since Glacier was primarily a Pacific Northwestern band back in the day, once we re-established ourselves, we were thrilled to have our first show to be on stage at the Keep It True festival in 2017; granted, we were under the moniker of Devil in Disguise, but it was definitely awesome to be playing again. Since then, we have played in Germany two more times, at Trveheim and Headbangers Open Air. We have also played in the Netherlands, Colombia, Canada, and a few shows in the US. We released our first new music in over 30 years, The Passing of Time, in October of 2020, which was a phenomenal experience because former bandmates Tim Proctor (bass) and Loren Bates (drums) joined our line-up for a few tracks on that album. More recently, we just released a couple of new songs on our The Spears of the Empire EP, while we continue to work on our new album . . . the title has yet to be finalised.
THE NWOTHM: Can you tell us any fun/ interesting facts about the members of the band?
GLACIER: Podrybau became a jet ski racing world champion after Glacier disbanded; he loves his dogs, hates beets, and dreams in ultraviolet. Kopecky is a multi-instrumentalist, who can practically write music in his sleep. The man can draw, paint, sculpt, whittle, gird, and write anything. Maselbas had to cut his three foot beard because it kept winding itself in his guitar strings and adding violin sounds to his tracks. He also has two enormous green thumbs – he can grow whatever seed he tosses on the ground. Barrios enjoys alien-hunting, being mysterious, drinking hard liquor, and slam dancing in mosh pits; ironically enough, he is also a magnificent salsa and tango dancer. We have strong reason to believe he comes from an undiscovered land of magic.
Ippolito is in therapy for his affinity for setting fires. His favorite album from the ’80s is Pyromania – only because of the title. There’s a lot more that could be said of the man, but none of it can be disclosed for reasons of safety.
THE NWOTHM: What bands and artists have influenced you and helped you to carve your sound?
GLACIER: Michael Podrybau: My favorite all-time band is Savatage. There are tons of others that I am sure influenced me – Riot, Saxon, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest – to name just a few.
Adam Kopecky: Influence comes in many forms. There are definitely bands within the genre who inspire, but I also enjoy drawing from outside heavy metal to apply various approaches. As each new song takes shape, they seem to call for “this” or “that” element to interweave, and the overall sound expands a little more in variety.
THE NWOTHM: Can you tell us about your most recent release(s) and any background information to the music? How did the songs come about?
GLACIER: Adam Kopecky: Spears of the Empire was originally going to be one of five separate thematic EPs. Our guitarist, Michael Maselbas, was interested in applying some cultural techniques to the guitar work, and he brought some ideas to the table, which became the two songs on the EP. We later decided against additional EPs, aiming at a second full length album instead, so the songs were finished up as a stand-alone work. The sound of the music inspired the lyrics, which in turn, inspired the artwork.
THE NWOTHM: What shows have you got coming up for 2023? Any major performances you would like to highlight?
GLACIER: Adam Kopecky: It’s a bit early to announce anything yet, but we do have a few events in our sights. A return to Europe seems meant-to-be, and we’re hoping to get back to South and Central America as well. We’d like to be more active this year with touring than we have been previously.
THE NWOTHM: Any other plans for 2023? With it being a new year, what do you hope to achieve in the upcoming months?
GLACIER:The band is currently working on new material for the next full length album. A couple of songs are already complete, and we are still putting the finishing touches on the others before heading back into the studio.
THE NWOTHM: Where can people check you out on social media and buy your music/merch?
GLACIER:
Our website is: www.GlacierMetal.com and the the merch page there directs visitors to one of our two
Bandcamp pages (one is for 80s material, the other https://glaciermetal.bandcamp.com is for newer releases).
Our YouTube is www.youtube.com/@glacier_official6001
Facebook is www.facebook.com/GlacierMetal, and we have an Instagram account somewhere out there.
THE NWOTHM: Is there anything else you would like to mention?
GLACIER: Michael Podrybau: Personally, I feel so blessed to be doing what I love, and I am extremely grateful to my bandmates for their hard work, talent, insight, and dedication, and to all of the metal fans for their support (and patience) over the years because, honestly, without them, there is no Glacier.
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