IceHel – Revelations 2012

now/italy

The IceHel born in the autumn of 2005 under the name of Steel Factory and, after several changes in line-up, training stabilizes around the pair of guitarists composed and Daniele Damiano Ribiscini Valloscuro and is completed by Rossi Marco Bartoli on bass, Alessio Grammatico on drums and singer Sandro Cipiccia. The moniker of the band, contrary to the impression assume the similarity with the English “Ice Hell” Hell of Ice makes reference to the goddess Hel, an important figure belonging to the Scandinavian Pantheon, and all the imaginary historical, epic and dramatic typical of those lands.

Imagery that undoubtedly comes out listening to the music played by the quintet Umbrian a heavy / power metal hued strongly epic, so far from the temptations of “progressive” typical of bands like Vision Divine, Labyrinth and the Eldritch by the spirit of most fantasy Rhapsody ( Of Fire). The songs are IceHel fairs and, at times, even the atmosphere is both impressive and the stentorian voice of Sandro, a strong trait capable of characterizing the overall sound of Terni from that of many Italian and foreign competitors, are able effectively in ‘ intention of combining the strength and speed of the “old” power metal with epic pathos of groups now as old as the Manilla Road or looking at our house, Adramelch.

“I Am The Alpha: The Beginning.”

With these words open the initial “Alpha”, an instrumental two-minute buckets where the (successful) blend of power and epic metal helloweeniano appears immediately in full force and even elegance. “7 Seals” pounding to the rhythm of classic heavy metal, halfway between maideniane cadences and atmospheres closer to certain things even of Cirith Ungol, and the following “7 Signs”, with the double bass insistent and vibrant bursts of guitar, ago winking with conviction the speed / power of some thirty years ago. Noteworthy is the vocal line, emphatic and very personal, and the combination of atmosphere always cut epic with a short but incisive solo neoclassical.

“Babylon Falling” opens as a ballad, with the vocals and the narrator effectively overlapped in a lopsided instrumental parts, but the rest is still marked by a heavy / power tones more solemn and majestic with the pre- chorus reminiscent of Judas Priest “Hellrider”. No failure and no pause: “Millennium” attacks again the listener with its riffing rapid and pressing but the moment of greatest interest coincides with the slowdown around the minute 2 and 10, in which instrumental passages flavor almost progressive and now family members as special vocals by Sandro blend strikingly with influences drawn from folk / medieval-before a nice ending warlike tones.

It works very well “Holy Jerusalem”, a nice mix of various influences, leading to an intro with tribal drums and grafts of female voices (the, good, Benedetta Gelati) to one of the most incisive refrain, through a central development narrow brand of heavy / power, a dark break à la “Victims Of Fate” and a fine solo guitar, played on technique and speed but without forgetting its functionality to the track. Probably the best track of “Revelations”, in coexistence with the previous “Millennium”.

Closes “Omega”, in the same way that “Alpha” had opened the ball: a short instrumental and insightful in which echo the epic-combative atmosphere that have made her the master throughout the listening area. The IceHel kids are not a beginner and all the wealth of technical experience and culture can be seen and also, most importantly, he feels. The performance is top-notch and compositional point of view the various influences fielded find a balance happily apt and far from obvious, although the real trump card lies, probably, in the quaint (and, perhaps for this reason , “does not fit all”) entry of Sandro.

Very appreciable production and packaging overall, in particular the charming front cover. The only two points in my opinion “weak” economy of a demo of high quality are the lack of a beautiful ballad half-time, to break a little ‘pace (and to feel as if Sandro’d do on a slow tout court), as well as some simple refrain of assimilation because of a disc of melodic lines played completely changing and complex, even a single piece with the greatest impact would stand out even more than all the others in the lineup. For the rest another great work from the always amazing underground scene flag.

“I Am The Omega: The End»

Stefano Burini

 

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Line Up

Sandro Cipiccia: voice

Damiano Ribiscini: guitar

Daniel Valloscuro: guitar

Marco Rossi Bartoli: low

Alessio Grammarian: battery

 

Tracklist

01. Alpha 02:05

02. 7 Seals 06:53

03. 7 Signs 06:55

04. Babylon Falling 5:30

05. Millenium 09:08

06. Holy Jerusalem 07:15

07. Omega 01:45

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