| CD REVIEW Icon In Me |
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Band: Icon In Me Early Summer 2007, Moscow: Moscow band Hostile Breed has just ceased to be. August 2007, Moscow: Former Hostile Breed guitarist D. Frans decides to make a long-time wish come true, and launch a new international project. Two months later, the line-up (as far as musicians is concerned) is settled on with guitarist Artyom aiding Frans with the dual axe attack, Konstantin bringing in the lower end, and Morten Löwe Sörensen (the only European at that point, with tenures in The Arcane Order, Submission, Soilwork, Hatesphere, and Scarve to his name). Early November 2007, Holland, Hansen Studios: The instrumentalists of Icon In Me have converged into this studio to lay down the foundation for the material that would become their debut album under productional guidance of Jacob Hansen. Early January 2008 – May 2008: The band announces the addition of singer Tony JJ (of Man, Mnemic, C-187, and the recently reformed Transport League) to their line-up. After preparing for the job, he enters Sweden’s Belly Of the Whale Studios in mid February to record his contributions to the album, recordings which end around March 10. In the months following the original recordings, and the time to come, the Russian side of the band fine-tunes stuff on the material in Russian studios, while over in Europe, guests musicians record their contribution in a variety of studios over here. The band is excited, and with original plans to get over to Hansen Studios in May for the final mixing, the guys also prepare for their first gigs. Late June, Holland, Hansen Studios – June 2, Moscow: Due to severe illness, guitarist Artyom would not have been able to be present at the originally planned mixing of the album in May, so the band as a whole decided to postpone until now! On July 2, Icon In Me has their premiere show at Moscow’s B1 Maximum Club, in support of the great Machine Head (later that week, and still in Moscow - well, everybody was to be there anyway - the band recorded a video for the track “That Day, That Sorrow”)! Following that gig, many Russian Metalheads start sharing the view that Icon In Me may well be the last hope for the Russian Metal scene! October 2008 – Current day!: In early October the band receives the master CDs of the album. In early February 2009 the band announces they have signed the album to IronDfor distribution in Russia (to start April 20, and with two bonus tracks), and to Massacre fordistributionelsewhere (originally slated for release on April 27, but then postponed). Only 10 days later, the band reveal the album’s artwork, made by Russian artist A-Ra (worked previously with the likes of Amatory, ####, Trendkill Method, Bezumnie Usilia, Horizon, and…Hostile Breed). In early April, the band also announces the launching of their website (www.) iconinme.com. Time to talk music…which is an aggressive type of Modern Metal. You know, a combination of Thrash and Death Metal (with some down-tune playing to enhance that particular part of the music), with some additional groove thrown in, but always with a keen eye for overall melodies! As a comparison point, Machine Head certainly comes to mind (personally, I’ve never been really fond of the more commerciable Modern Metal acts, but I’ll admit that’s partly due to the fact that I was never allowed to make my acquaintance through reviewing – if that seems weird to you, pray understand that a listening session for pleasure is quite a different thing from one for a review!). So, not surprising Tony JJ was attracted to this, as it allows him to express himself vocally in a wide array of vocal stylings, from growled to screamed/ shouted, with some occasional more clean moments as well! In live conditions, at least one of the other guys is gonna have to help him out in bringing he occasional dual vocal delivery though! The fact of Tony JJ’s presence doés however make a difference in this band’s sound overall, so, the comparison to the obove mentioned reference is not valid all the way through! The band having taken on things as “professional” as possible, you’ll find music posted at a wide array of music outlets, including Purevolume, last.fm, iNeem, Facebook, iLike, YouTube (where you’ll almost certain to find the video clip they made, and possibly already some live footage as well) and of course MySpace (.com/iconinme). At the latter you’ll find no less that 4 tracks posted, which should be enough for you to get an introduction in the musical world of Icon In Me (is it just me, or does the fact that the band’s name sounds somewhat like “economy” leave a sour taste in your mouth as well?). If that isn’t sufficient, and you’d like to hear samples of all tracks, check out the “Multimedia” section on band’s own website (samples for all songs, which means the short instrumental is excluded), or have yourself a listening session next time you’re in the record store! 90/100 Tony. |