The brain-child of Jason Roach, which started back in 2015, releasing 3 albums as a solo project, before being upgraded to a full band in 2023. Crushing female-fronted Epic Sword & Sorcery Power/Doom metal for fans of CIRITH UNGOL, early TROUBLE, STYGIAN CROWN, SMOULDER, JEX THOTH, PENTAGRAM, etc.
CD FEATURES:
• Female-fronted Power Doom, featuring past and present members from ZEPHANIAH, OVERLOAD, THORR-AXE, RAT KING
• Jewel Case release with multi-page booklet with lyrics, band photos, info, credits
• Cover Art by David Paul Seymour
• Brand-new EP showcasing the new full band line-up, plus two extra bonus tracks (6 tracks in total, 28:17 minutes playing time)
Review
ICE HOWL is a band that I am quite familiar with. I first listened to the HOWL with their 2020 release Cadence of the Cursed, finding myself struck by the seamless melding of doom, stoner, and power metal, and have since explored their back catalog. Hearing that the band had officially became a band, and not a solo affair for Jason Roach, I was excited for whatever the future may hold for ICE HOWL. New logo is aces as well!
A re-recording of “Snowfire”, originally featured on ICE HOWL’s amazing 2022 release Darkness From Beyond, opened the EP. Right out of the gate, the production is much crisper and more polished, but not too a detriment. Latifi’s vocals were a bit of a change for me, having been used to the previous vocal style, but she has a terrific set of pipes and her voice settled rather quickly into this reimagined track. I did find myself slightly preferring the mixing on the instruments in the original release, at least as of now. Though I’m also chalking that up to my being most familiar with this track, when compared to the other re-recordings.
“Crack the Earth”, which first featured on ICE HOWL’s 2016 debut record of the same name, has a furiously delicious intro that is sheer perfection in both the original recording and in this one. Differing much from the previous track, I didn’t need to adjust to the vocals at all, so again my initial numbness stemmed purely from my familiarity with the track. Here, Latifi’s vocals were shining, but as was the entire band. Love the drum work in this one, every beat feels like an artillery cannon, including that little blast section at the end. The chorus delivery from Latifi is simply otherworldly, and an early contender for vocal performance of the year.
“Kyteler”, also featuring on ICE HOWL’s debut record, was track three, and by far the longest on the EP. Incredible riff to start off, really great stuff and a killer buildup with more of thundering drums. Latifi’s vocals here had an enchanting bluesy quality that I very quickly fell in love with. A disgusting (complimentary) beast of a riff near the 3 minute mark that made me do this face was a cherry on top of an already great pie. Unless I was tripping (jury’s out), I might’ve heard some flute in the background, but it could’ve just been distortion.
“Sorcerer’s Call”, once more taken from the ICE HOWL debut, was the last of the four tracks originally available on the digital release of Reborn and Reforged. Once again Latifi’s vocals have a bluesy tinge to them, and once again I’m smitten. Near the end, she unleashes several magnificent screams, just to put a nice bow on the track. Revisiting earlier ICE HOWL is something that I’ve been meaning to do, as I do hold a softer spot for their early work.
“Silent Resistance” first featured on the 2023 four-way split alongside MOURN THE LIGHT, ARCHDRUID, and HIGH PRIEST, was the first of two ‘bonus’ tracks featured exclusively on the CD release. I must admit, that I have never heard the original versions of either bonus track, as the four-way split slipped by me when it released. It didn’t grip me quite as much as the songs before it, but given that I hadn’t heard it before, I’m sure it just needs to grow on me.
“Final Stand of the Third Age”, also first seen on the four-way split, opened with another stellar riff, but I really dug the bass behind the guitars. That galloping sound was pure metal. The overall cadence of the chorus had an infectious, almost LADY BEAST quality to it, that I adored. Definitely a great way to bookend the EP.
Conclusion
Overall, while ICE HOWL’s slightly new direction won’t be for everyone, it was for me. I found Latifi’s vocals to be varied and powerful, while also having an identifiability to them. On top of that, I think that re-recording songs with the new line-up was a great move to indicate that a new era of ICE HOWL is upon us. Similarly, including the two tracks previously only available on the split release as bonus tracks was a strong move. I can’t wait to add this release to my library of CDs.
TheNwothm Score: 8.5/10
Links
Bandcamp: https://icehowl.bandcamp.com/music
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/icehowlmetal
The Nwothm 
Leave a comment