Tracks: Full Circle, Fixation, Last Exit
More info: www.iconrock.co.uk
Verdict (& Rating): Contemporary version of Sabbath meets Maiden (75%)
I.C.O.N, consisting of Mark Sagar (vocals), Jason Shuttleworth (Bass) & Scott Knowles (Guitar), were formed in 1999 in Burnley, England. After a fruitless search for a drummer, then band's fourth member is a drum machine, even when they are playing live! Whenever the band play locally they attract both 'classic' and 'nu-metal' fans alike. The band have been building things up gradually moving from local gigs to natiowide gigs, a web site and the release of this EP in 2002.
A quick browse of the band's web site will reveal a list of all time and current favourite albums that includes Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Led Zep,Venom, Filter, Stone Temple Pilots, and Queens Of The Stone Age.
Opening track, "Full Circle", is a fast Metallica meets Maiden romp. The next track, "Fixation", trades speed for clout and makes more of an impact. Overall I'm reminded of Sabbath, albeit with a more comtempory feel to the chorus. "Last Exit" is more metal with attitude to complete the set.
Listening to I.C.O.N I can hear that their music is build upon 'classic' metal, but overall their sound is a little more contemporary and I can well imagine how their materail appeals to both the 'classic' and 'nu-metal' fans when they play live. I.C.O.N's style is a touch too metallic for my current tastes. but if you're more metallically inclinded than I me, then check out their web site.
