Let it be known that we had high hopes for this one the instant lead single “No Gods, No Chains” came across ye olde digital desk last Fall. We hyped it even more in our just released 2026 preview (Read it here!) after hearing only a few singles to the extent that we even rearranged the bulk of the list to shoehorn the album known as Glasgow Grin into a prime Top 10 spot! And upon hearing the final product, we’ve gotta say that those aforementioned high hopes are not unfounded by any means.
Is it too early to have a frontrunner for “Metal Record of the Year”? We don’t think so especially when it comes from Vageliss Karzis (Current Wolfheart/former Rotting Christ) and Full House Brew Crew’s new brand of Heavy ass Groove Metal! The instant the title track opens the record amidst a subtle kind of brutal intensity it’s apparent that Glasgow Grin is a special kind of record with that idea backed up a thousand fold when the aforementioned “No Gods, No Chains” comes calling next with its’ ferocious chorus and steady shreds.
Then “The Tear” goes for a no holds barred Metal fest and unleashes the full might of Spiros Dafalias (Bass), Giorgios Tzatzakis(Guitars) and Chris Borméy (Drums) with Karzis’ shreds and screams leading the charge. Speaking of shreds, “The Other Side” is all riffs and then some with the Dafalias and Borméy rhythm section earning their keep during this particularly pummely headbanger. Another thing that Full House Brew Crew has going for it is the big melodies and harmonies infused into all the heaviness and “Free Fall” is a perfect example of that, sporting a chorus that’ll be stuck in your noggin long after it’s over.
“Rain” beautifully rips with devastating percussive attacks and the riffage to match, “From The Gutter” begins amidst a barrage of synchronized Metal mayhem executed exquisitely by FCBC and “Distant Star” gives us Gojira vibes especially with the guitar runs that proliferate the opening salvo. “Crawling” is dirge-like with guitars bringing both a solid heft and a siren/alarm-like noise to accentuate this sense of unease leading into “Reign Of Terror” which is a classic album ender in that it’s absolutely beastly and the kind of last song we love as it reminds you what you’re about to be missing… unless you press “play” immediately following the closing notes.
Glasgow Grin arrives through ROAR/A Division of Reigning Phoenix on February 6th and you can pre-order yours now by heading here. For more from Full House Brew Crew, hit the interwebs and the FCBC’s socials when you click here or here.