Black Ice

Album: Terrible Bird

Did you know? The 1980s are back! At least that's what some people are saying. 1980s-style parties are popular and radio shows are playing the music of the 1980s again. So what does this mean? We know some famous bands from the 1980s, like Depeche Mode and U2, never really went away. It means that now – twenty years later – new artists and musicians are using all kinds of forgotten styles from the past.

That's what the exciting new US band Black Ice are doing! Some of the members of Black Ice also play with the well-known band Phantom Limbs. With this new project they are following in the footsteps of 1980s bands like Siouxie, the Banshees and Nick Cave’s former band The Birthday Party.

Black Ice’s debut album is something in between punk, wave, early 1980s goth, post-punk and experimental industrial music. Its title, “Terrible Birds”, matches the album's haunting, calm style. The theatrical voice of female singer Miss Kel and the psychedelic guitar remind listeners of early 1980s bands like The Swans. In songs like the opener ‘The Stillness’ or ‘Elixer’, Miss Kel’s voice really stands out. Other pieces like ‘In Winter’ will give you a creepy feeling. In fact, the more you listen to this album, the more you could imagine glass breaking if the volume were loud enough. Tracks like ‘Yellow Letters’ and ‘My Eyes Hurt’ are typical for Black Ice – not too fast and not too slow, but still able to get on your nerves.

Black Ice are some of San Francisco’s most impressive new artists. This album is something really special, something absolutely thrilling, and something that will go straight to your soul. Enjoy – and be careful!

By AngieBlack

out 22.08.2005
Strobeligh/ALIVE