Icarus Witch
Draw Down the Moon

Icarus Witch is a bit of a hard group to pigeonhole.  For one, even though they could be dumped into the traditional metal category, the mysticism pervading their albums hints at the notion that something else is at play behind the music, something you can’t quite hear, but can feel instead.  This sixth sense, combined with an utterly 1980s rock attitude, keeps Icarus Witch from being bound to one genre, though they are considered by many to be instrumental members of the new wave of traditional metal.  New album Draw Down the Moon, the last to feature the love-em-or-hate-em vocals of Matthew Bizilia, draws from 2007’s Songs for the Lost while taking a darker, more sinister path.

With opener “Black Candles,” it’s immediately obvious that Icarus Witch is riding a heavier wavelength this time around.  The lighthearted atmosphere has dissipated, and a more somber group presents themselves.  Deep, dark subject matter surfaces.  “Aquarius Rising” keeps the ball rolling, with a tempo and feel that lie somewhere between melancholic and malicious.  The gang-style vocals used previously in Icarus Witch material to relay an exuberant vibe now echo pain or rage, and Bizilia’s cries in general sound angrier.  The moody “Funeral Wine” displays some truly haunting melodies and soloing.  Others, such as “Haunting Visions,” “Draw Down the Moon” and “Reap What You Sow,” give a rockin’ proto-metal vibe.  All in all, the classic ‘Witch elements are there, only seemingly turned inside out to display something earthier, something more primal, something a little more evil.  The guys also do a lithe cover Judas Priest’s “The Ripper,” forming it into their own creation.

Like the title of their debut album implies, Icarus Witch is adept in capturing the magic and turning it toward listeners.  They’ve got the right blend of metal and rock sensibilities to appease fans of both genres simultaneously.  There’s also something sexually charged about them that appeals to me as a woman, but don’t hold it against me.  Perhaps Draw Down the Moon is best enjoyed while reading a spell book by candlelight, a glass of wine at the ready.  Or, if you’re not into that sort of thing, pop it in anytime you’re in the mood for a bit of a preternatural experience.

[Visit the band's website]
Written by Jodi Van Walleghem
May 15th, 2010

Comments

  1. Commented by: Biff_Tannen

    Saw these guys open for Paul Di’Anno (and back him up during his set) a few months ago. One of the absolute worst band I’ve ever seen on a stage. The singer is a pompous prick of Titanic proportions.


  2. Commented by: Cynicgods

    I was about to spread some hate this band’s way, but Biff (as always) was way ahead of me. Enough vitriol to kill small animals and children with a single gaze. :D


  3. Commented by: Biff_Tannen

    If only I could undress women with my gaze…..


  4. Commented by: gabaghoul

    no but you could undress women with your gays, if they happen to be fashion designers


  5. Commented by: Cynicgods

    What the fuck are you talking about, Gaba? :P


  6. Commented by: gabaghoul

    I’m not entirely sure


  7. Commented by: Biff_Tannen

    Im okay with that.


  8. Commented by: Sin_After_Sin

    I was at that show with Biff. He tried hitting on the singer & got shot down. Just because someone covers Halford, don’t jump to conclusions guy.


Leave a Reply

Privacy notice: When you submit a comment, your creditentials, message and IP address will be logged. A cookie will also be created on your browser with your chosen name and email, so that you do not need to type them again to post a new comment. All post and details will also go through an automatic spam check via Akismet's servers and need to be manually approved (so don't wonder about the delay). We purge our logs from your meta-data at frequent intervals.

  • Wolfbrigade - Life Knife Death
  • Vended - Vended
  • Vafurlogi - Í vökulli áþján
  • PeelingFlesh - The G Code
  • 1349 - The Wolf and the King
  • Flotsam and Jetsam - I Am the Weapon
  • Glacial Tomb - Lightless Expanse
  • Kanonenfieber - Die Urkatastrophe
  • Deceased - Children of the Morgue
  • The Black Dahlia Murder - Servitude
  • Hammerfilosofi - SOLUS ( Igne Natura Renovator Integra) EP
  • Emasculator  - The Disfigured and the Divine EP
  • Laceration - I Erode
  • Servant - Death Devil Magick
  • Sur Austru - Datura Străhiarelor