Icon In Me - Human Museum
Massacre Records
Metalcore
11 songs (46:45)
Release year: 0
Icon In Me, Massacre Records
Reviewed by Thomas

I don’t like how some labels seemingly try to cover for core-bands by calling it modern thrash metal. Modern thrash metal as of late would be all the thrash bands trying to reincreate the 80s. It has nothing to do with sound, breakdowns, mixed vocal styles or whatever. Icon In Me are one of those bands that play commercialized metal wrapped into every single characteristic that represents metalcore. Not thrash. No rabid drums, chaotic solos or war-assembling riffs are particularly present here, as dirty chugs, distorted bass-guitars, blast-beats and breakdowns are dominating this record by far. Icon In Me are based in Russia, and featuring members from Mnemic, Hostile Breed, Hatesphere and even Soilwork these guys were quickly hailed as the saviors of the Russian metal scene. Well, that can be discussed up and down in all eternity, but I am sure that you’d agree with me that there are other Russian bands that are significantly better than Icon In Me even though this features some well-respected musicians and guest-appearances by Steve Smyth who was earlier in Nevermore and Testament.

This is one of those records that float by in silence every single time you listen to it. You try to stay attached, but it just won’t grab you in any single way except for a few neat melodic parts here and there. This is no terrible release mind you, but after several forced listens the only proper description I can come up with is that this is pretty uninteresting. The first thing that catches your attention is the good chorus on Avoiding the Pain. In other words, 42:21 into the debut of these so-called saviors they manage to create something reminiscent of a spark. The main thing these guys are lacking is song-writing skills. Most of the songs follow the same pattern with up-beat tempo, hardly varied riffs where the pale chugs and forced melody lines dominate a colorless musical picture without any hint of soul or emotion. On the other hand though, this has always been and will always be a subgenre that will remain completely douche in my ears. On a slightly different note, if you’re a fan of this style and especially bands in the likes of Mnemic and their relentless crushing sound and melodic focus, this may be something that you’d enjoy far more than I will ever do. Icon In Me are nothing more than more of the same, only inspired by the skilled vocalist Tony JJ and solid drummer Morten that was earlier in Soilwork.

As you’ve probably understood by now, this is pretty weak by any standard. Without anything resembling a capturing moment, a little something that’ll make you nod in appreciation, a catchy beat, a worthwhile melody-line (except that one and only) or even a full song that’ll make you push `repeat` so that you can hear it over and over again. Obviously, these guys can play and have some skill which more or less makes this listenable, as it doesn’t make you want to throw it in the toilet. However, as I mentioned above, this may appeal to metal/thrash/death-core fans, as this is just more of the same. There are no reason for why you shouldn’t give these guys a try of you find that music appealing to you. Just don’t expect me to understand that, nor why they are hailed as saviors of Russian metal. Miss.

MySpace
Killing Songs :
Avoiding the Pain
Thomas quoted 49 / 100
0 readers voted
Average:
 0
You did not vote yet.
Vote now

There are 0 replies to this review. Last one on Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:07 pm
View and Post comments