Release
date: May 28th 2016. Label: Self Relased. Format: DD
Crack
The Earth – Tracklisting
1.Where
The Druids Dwell 04:03
2.Echoes
Of War 05:08
3.Crack
The Earth 03:50
4.The
Tracker 04:33
5.Kyteler
07:12
6.Sorcerer's
Call 05:30
7.Beyond
The Ice Fall 07:06
Band
Members:
Travis
Roach - Guitar/Vocals
Tucker
Thomasson - Bass
Niko
Albanese - Drums
Review:
Ice
Howl are a fairly new Doom/Stoner Metal band as their music will
mostly appeal to fans of The Sword and Grand Magus. You have members
of Thorr-Axe and Lawbringer part of this hugely talented line-up. So
they’re talent or their passion for creating riffs is never in
doubt. Ice Howl’s debut album – Crack The Earth – is an album
that contains a huge amount of fantastical elements all held together
by a heavy pounding Stoner Metal vibe.
Opening
track – Where The Druids Dwell – may give you the impression of a
Power-Metal band but don’t fear as Ice Howl are heavily influenced
by early-era The Sword. It’s a progressive instrumental song with a
groove based psychedelic vibe showing you what to expect for the next
forty minutes. The drumming is precise throughout with the riffs
having a clear direct sound of their own.
Second
track – Echoes Of War – is where lead vocalist Travis finally
makes his appearance with his vocals influenced by some of the more
recent Stoner Metal vocalists currently out there. Though you can
hear Travis shows his appreciation for vocalists from the 70s/80s
Doom Metal scene. The riffs take a more heavy metal style of delivery
which allows the band to change the tone of the album for this track.
It’s still a Doom/Stoner Metal track but Ice Howl drop the odd
heavy thrash based riffs from time to time.
Third
track – Crack The Earth – sees Ice Howl take the bull by the
horns and become more comfortable with their psychedelic
surroundings. The lyrics have a deeper fantasy element compared to
the opening two tracks but you don’t care as you’re lost in sheer
amount of fun and excitement the band play with each passing second.
If you look on Ice Howl’s Facebook Page they describe themselves
for fans Of The Sword, Grand Magus, Kvelertak and Truckfighters. OK
maybe Truckfighters mention is a tad extreme but the rest of the
bands I will definitely agree with. Crack The Earth is perhaps one of
the best tracks on the album and it’s one that shows the full range
of influences that Ice Howl play with.
Don’t
think that Ice Howl are a mere copycat of other bands as they’re
not. This is Ice Howl’s show and they prove time and time again in
how to deliver an exciting and action packed album. For such a
relatively new band you’ll be surprised how great these guys
actually sound. It feels like they’ve been around for years instead
of the relatively short few months they actually have been together
as a band.
Anyway,
back to the review. The second half of the album takes a slightly
heavier turn with fourth track – The Tracker – combining NWOBHM
with Thin Lizzy style riffs. It’s a heavy and fast-paced affair
with crackles of Fuzz starting to appear. The only drawback on this
track is the lyrics; they could have done with more work here and
there.
The
final tracks – Kyteler, Sorcerer’s Call and Beyond The Ice Fall
sees Ice Howl offer twenty minutes of intense and fast-paced riffs.
This part of the album has a fresher sound compared to the first half
of the album. Maybe too polished at times but it does allows Ice Howl
to focus on what they do best in creating heavy progressive
psychedelic riffs.
The
production is superb from start to finish with Ice Howl showing an
air of confidence that some bands don’t show on their debut albums.
Ice Howl offer top-notch Doom/Stoner Metal escapism with Crack The
Earth. This is a must have album and I predict a very bright future
for Ice Howl as Crack The Earth is a stunning debut album. Watch
these guys soar.
Words
by Steve Howe
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