Icarus Lives is a band hailing from the Western reaches of Australia, Perth to be exact. They are fairly new to the Australian metal scene and quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with. They have released their album Vantablack in 2017.
Being led by the melodies of Sara Murray on vocals and backed up by guitarist Taviri Starwood, the pair create the clean and harsh vocal duo which adds a flair to the songs which are haunting but beautiful at the same time.
One thing I really love about this album is the diversity of the songwriting, and the order of the tracks: For example you have the kick-ass pounding double kick drum beats of Naomi Treacy – this young lady can match it with any drummer out there – the fills and dexterity is quite audible on the track Memoirs of a Hooker along with song killer guitar riffing from guitarist Cameron Michael and filling in the backline, Bassist Chris Ayling. I’m not sure what the meaning of the song is exactly but the feel to me is this a mission statement from the band, with the lines “this is my job, this is my life, I don’t need your satisfaction…” This is what they want to do full time and come hell or high water, they’ll succeed so don’t get in their way.
Next up is I will lead you which shows a gentler side of the band, a power ballad if you will. The song is one of the softer songs on the album showing the musicianship of the band not being pegged down as a one-dimensional metal band.
Then straight up we’re back to the groove and headbanging tunes once again with Never Enough. This seems to be the trademark of Icarus Lives, mixing it up and it works.
For a debut album Vantablack holds my interest fully and something that can be listened to in full multiple times I do like the ferocity of Burn and Disease. These are a few stand out songs along with Forget (Fuck you, fuck this fuck that….very catchy tunes which almost got me in trouble by being totally immersed in my own world, sticking my middle finger in the air out the window at traffic, not the smartest of choices whilst stopped at a red light).
I really love this album and for a new band, they have created a good problem on how to follow up this up with a second album. For those who would like to follow the band (which you should) they also have an EP called Rising which doesn’t have the sound quality or polish that Vantablack has but that’s the progression of the band, this EP is something you need to check out too.
Icarus Lives has created a powerful melodic metal album that should be a part of your collection.
Icarus Lives: Facebook
Release Year: 2017
Label: self-released
Category: Album
Country: Australia
Reviewed by Adrian ‘Dren’ Barham
