Okay , so I got told to check out these dudes a couple weeks ago. The Stay Cold CD / 7" was released over a year ago, but I guess I'm reviewing it in anticipation of their debut album Secrets of the World due out early August. In some ways, Trapped Under Ice sounds a bit like the love child of Terror and Blacklisted, born under a full moon with Cold World as the midwife. But then again, maybe not.
Trapped Under Ice are like Madball on speed. Aggressive, heavy and slightly nu metal. Their music is generally mid paced, groovy and punctuated with lyrics which are spat rather than sang. Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, its not too much of a stretch to say there is a definite NYHC vibe.
Of course, any band named after a Metalica song has to be a bit bogan, and this come through in the guitar solos such as in the title track off the solo Stay Cold and Street Lights.
However, the main thing that keep me interested is the vocal approach. Borrowing heavily from George Hirsch of Blacklisted in terms of clever plays on words and internal rhyme, Trapped Under Ice vocalist manages to bring in a street (read hip hop) vibe with his delivery. Similar to Cold World in this, the disconnection of the lyrics echo in your head after the songs end. For instance off track three Skeleton Heads
When it comes face to face, you’re faceless
In the name of your faith, you’re faithless
Burning are the spirits that you’ve deceived
Among the people you burn
People who get down to Crown of Thornz and Furious Styles will love this band, but for me, the jury's out - I need more evidence. For fans of any of the bands mentioned above. It's six songs of aggressive, modern hardcore, and at under 10 minutes - its definitely worth checking out.
Trapped Under Ice scream hype, it will be interesting to see if the band can deliver this on Secrets of the World. Fingers crossed.
3 / 5