Metal Caravans

Genre: Heavy Metal

TRACKLIST:

   1. Roses On White Lace
   2. Curse Of The Ice Maiden
   3. Halcyon
   4. Winds Of Atlantis
   5. Dragon Ryder

Amazing. A US band who claim to play real heavy metal and are proclaimed by their label as the Next Big Thing – and it isn't all a pile of shit. For once, the hype is completely, absolutely, 100% dead on target. Icarus Witch are a young band from Pennsylvania, and they are definitely going places. Whereas most US bands who try to play 80s-styled metal can only stagger into a lurching impersonation of Iced Earth, these guys have gotten it right, and with a full-length album as good as this EP they could join the likes of Twisted Tower Dire and Cage among the best classic metal this country can offer.
The only reason I have to dock this disc any points at all is for the scantiness of it. It kicks off with the cover of Alice Cooper's "Roses On White Lace" that the band recorded for their label's upcoming tribute CD. It's a good tune, and it fits the band's style surprisingly well, but when we hit track 2 and the deep, crunching riffs of "Curse Of The Ice Maiden" is when things really get going. This is where Icarus Witch prove that they are good enough to back up their claims of being successors to Dio or old Queensryche, as this is about a perfect example of good, old-fashioned classic metal. The riffs are heavy and catchy, the songwriting is sharp and exciting, the lyrics are cool, and the guitar and vocal work are stellar. The leads on this EP are awesome: impressive, catchy and classic in feel. Vocalist Matt Bizilia is a real find, as his smooth, slightly nasal tone recalls voices from Geoff Tate to John Arch. He has confidence and aggression, not to mention that he can hit the high notes when he wants.
I have to knock a bit for "Halcyon", as it is just a short keyboard instrumental (like a minute long) that wastes space, but then it swings right into "Winds Of Atlantis" which is another flawless display of heavy metal rulage, as is "Dragon Ryder". I can't say enough good things about this band, they just rule. They recall a lot of influences, from Savatage, Manilla Road, Maiden, Dio, and definitely old Fates Warning, and yet they do not rip anyone off, and they have their own style.
If these guys can keep it together and produce a full-length album of songs as good as the ones here, we will be looking at a massive classic, hands down. This EP is a maddening taste of what this band can do, and I want more as soon as possible. For a measly five bucks, this is an underground gem that should not be missed under any circumstances.