Post by jptheprofessor on Oct 29, 2007 18:22:13 GMT -5
ICARUS WITCH – SONGS FOR THE LOST (Cleopatra Records) On their first full-length CD, 2005’s Capture the Magic, Pittsburgh’s Icarus Witch stunned heavy metal circles with a sound that convincingly resurrected the power, might and majesty of classic melodic heavy metal. Their follow-up, Songs for the Lost, confidently charges forward from where the previous album left off. The songwriting is stronger overall; with consistently lethal, dark-flavored melodies and a more varied palette of tight and powerful arrangements to carry them. Instrumentally, the twin-guitar tandem of Quinn Lukas and Steve Pollick shows constant virtuosity with surgically-precise lead solos and concise, on-the-mark dual-guitar harmonies. Jason Myers’ busy, throbbing bass works in tandem with Pro-Pain drummer Eric Klinger’s booming beats to propel the sound. And singer Matthew Bizilia shows incredible vocal power, range, grit and character, topped with a dramatic and sinister edge that sells the songs’ often gothic, mystical and macabre lyrical themes. All ten Songs for the Lost are killer with no filler. Icarus Witch fires off anthemic, fist-pounding rockers like the album-opening charge of “Out for Blood,” “Written in the Stars” and “Devil’s Hour;” and crafts deeper and gloomier Sabbath-like soundscapes on “The Sky Is Falling” and “House of Usher.” “Smoke & Mirrors” closes the album in a milder, more somber vein; with strings and guest backing singer Katherine Blake of Medieval Baebes adding depth and mystique. And the group welcomes one of their heroes, former Rainbow, Deep Purple and Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist Joe Lynn Turner, to help sing on their rousing update of Def Leppard’s “Mirror Mirror.” Eric Klinger’s production brings out the power and might of the song material, and cleverly applies detailed layering and studio effects to supplement the song’ moods and depth. If Icarus Witch had surfaced in the 1980’s, their name would probably be regularly spoken in the same breath as heavy metal legends like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Dio and Judas Priest. But based on the quality, artistry and strength of Songs for the Lost, this band is a serious threat to draw new attention to this vein of rock, and trailblaze their own path to eventual glory. (To obtain the CD, visit Icarus Witch’s website, www.icaruswitch.com.)