There aren’t many times when I find myself listening to much thrash or heavy metal nowadays that I can really feel the power that’s at play throughout the album. Sure, speed and riffs tend to have large roles in both styles more often than not, but it’s not often that I find myself being truly compelled by the raw power from either. It’s been years since I’ve encountered it done with a classic sound that was executed with great power, but it was tonight that the streak had ended with Ice War’s bombastic fourth album.

This has been one of those bands that I’ve been meaning to check out for years now but just haven’t simply because I haven’t gotten around to it. The one-man act has always had my attention but every time I’d remember to listen to them, I’d stupidly forget five minutes later. This time around I refused to be left in the dust, and I’m so glad that I did. Right out of the gates, “Defender, Destroyer” means business, and Ice War makes a clear effort to make that apparent. Blending together the classic vibes of thrash and heavy metal, there isn’t a single thing about this record that fans of both sounds shouldn’t get an immense kick out of as they flow so well together that it’s hard not to get sucked into what Ice War has done here as we race across battlefields littered with skulls. Then there’s the matter of just how infectious “Defender, Destroyer” is in its entirety. Classy riffs, a speed that’s as varied as it is tasteful, vintage heaviness done right, and the exact right attitude for the occasion; that’s just the base of what you can expect when you dive into this offering of frost-coated metal that is nothing but engaging in every possible second. The album sinks its blood-drenched hooks into you as soon as it begins, and once it gets the ball rolling you realize that there’s no shying away from the sheer excellence that’s on constant display with this ferocious album.

Ice War is absolutely a once in a while act given the quality and excellence that’s spread throughout this release, and the single man behind it is able to execute it all without missing a single beat or taking any sort of misstep whatsoever. “Defender, Destroyer” is absolutely an album catered to those who want the classic sound today, but it’s infectious enough to reel in practically any listener who will give it the proper chance that it deserves.

“Defender, Destroyer” releases on July 21st via Fighter Records!

LISTEN to the title track from “Defender, Destroyer” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Ice War on Facebook here.