Icarus Witch Draw Down the Moon
by John Kindred
Staff Writer
Icarus Witch’s latest studio release Draw Down The Moon arrives as the band finds itself in transition. With the departure of Matthew Bizilia, comes new vocalist Christopher Shaner. Icuras Witch also added guitarist Ed Skero to the band. Infusing new blood and a new voice certainly will produce a new dynamic to the band’s repertoire of music. As for now, we are left evaluate their 2010 studio album.
Originally formed in ’04 by vocalist Matthew Bizilia and bassist Jason Myers, the band’s debut studio landed in ’07 with Cleopatra’s release of Songs for the Lost. Prior independent albums, ’05’s Roses on White Lace and Capture The Magic, set the tone for the band’s introduction to the world. Fueled by the band’s own interpretation of NWOTM (New Wave of Traditional Metal), Icarus Witch has chosen not to follow trends. Instead, the band has discovered the art of Heavy Metal and are here to put its stamp upon the genre.
Describing the direction for the new album as “back-to-basics, classic metal album with a raw, in-your-face production,” Draw Down The Moon features nine songs. The music certainly has that Iron Maiden/Judas Priest rhythmic crunch, searing solos and gritty-soaring vocals.
The duration of Draw Down The Moon clocks in at a mere 36 minutes. During that time, the band gets its point across in three- to four-minute segments, which for old-school metal fans is a trip back to familiar territory. At times, the tempos of the songs plod along, lending a heavy and dark vibe to the music. Plenty of harmony guitars riffs and solos are wrapped around the arrangements. Bizilia sounds somewhat like Wolf vocalist Niklas Stålvind or the famed Lizzy Bordon.
Although originality is somewhat lacking, Icuras Witch proves to have an aptitude for penning metal music. As the genre continues to cycle back into mainstream popularity, bands like Icarus Witch will find shoes to fill as the old-school bands finally fade into retirement. It’s great to hear that the torched will be passed to deserving and skilled musicians.
Genre: Heavy Metal
Band:
Matthew Bizilia (v)
Jason Myers (b)
Quinn Lukas (g)
Steve Johnson (d)
Track Listing:
1. Black Candles
2. Aquarius Rising
3. Reap What You Sow
4. Dying Eyes
5. Draw Down The Moon
6. Serpent In The Garden
7. Funeral Wine
8. Haunting Visions
9. The Ripper
Official: www.icaruswitch.com
Label: Cleopatra Records
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10