Album Review: Ice War – Sacred Land (Fighter Records)

Canadian heavy metal band Ice War (the solo project of Jo Capitalicide of Aphrodite) will release their 5th album “Sacred Land” on May 18th, 2021 through Fighter Records on CD, 12″LP, Cassette and digital formats.

There’s grandness to Ice War’s Sacred Land but it’s not the only surprising thing about a band commonly known for speed metal. The first of many appearing on the opening title track as we get epic heavy metal with an infusion of Black Sabbath style doom. It’s got deep groove swings, dark doomy headiness and importantly, the heavy metal legs to move at a decent pace.

Crystal Mirror is riff heaven and has Jo punching high with his vocals for even more of an epic feel. Nuclear Gods is methodical with its darker pace but exudes destructive power. So Far Away is chunky gold with sharp riffing and those epic vocals to make everything feel so large. Whereas Black Horse has Ice War really looking towards the doom world for a Sabbath-style tribute to the classic sound.

Fascinating stuff with a ton of variety. The ideas and imagination of Jo Capitalicide put to great use here.

It’s not quite done yet though as Blood and Flames and Slay the Beast showcase a mix of filthy and slow riffs, galloping energetic moments and dark, epic highs and lows. As enjoyable as everything that came before. and keeping the album feeling quite tight.

Ice War – Sacred Land Full Track Listing:

1. Sacred Land
2. Crystal Mirror
3. Nuclear Gods
4. So Far Away
5. Black Horse
6. Blood and Flames
7. Slay the Beast

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Fighter Records