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Icarus Witch: Rise

Melodic Hard Rock/Heavy Metal

4.5/5.0

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Cleopatra Records
by Craig Hartranft,  06.20.2012

After several strong releases, I've always thought that Icarus Witch was on the cusp of greatness, some greater, even international, recognition. This year's Rise could be their breakthrough album.

Icarus Witch: looking quite hip.

This Pennsylvania band has the songwriting skills and musical talent to take the best of classic melodic heavy metal and put it into a modern wrapper. However, some may find this album a departure from their earlier material, which could be heavier, even a bit on the doomish side, and they would be right.

Rise leans more to accessibility, bringing a solid rock groove with hooks in lyrics, melody, and guitar riffs. You'll here this in Break The Cycle, Last Call for Living, Nothing Is Forever, a nice ballad with great bass work, or Coming of the Storm. Call it more melodic heavy rock, with spice of metal. The heavy metal laces its way throughout the album, but rises more abundantly on The End, Rise, and possibly, In The Dark. Lines are blurred with the anthems, (We Are) The New Revolution and Pray, both of which could hold their own in an arena context, whether rock or metal.

In the end, Rise is a terrific album, a slab of melodic metal with big hooks and a great groove. If this doesn't put Icarus Witch on the international melodic heavy metal scene, then shame on the fickle music populace. Quite recommended.

Icarus Witch's Rise is a terrific album, a slab of melodic metal with big hooks and a great groove. If this doesn't put Icarus Witch on the international melodic heavy metal scene, then shame on the fickle music populace.

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